§ Mr. KELLYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Report of the Home Office Commission to inquire into the cases of Irish Civil servants who had been suspended was forwarded to the heads of the Irish Departments before 21st August last; that the decision of the Commission has not yet been made known to all the individuals suspended; and can he offer any explanation of the delay of nearly six months which has taken place between the suspension of these men and the communication to them of the decision of the Government on their cases, and of the 212W delay of three months between the receipt of the Report and the communication of the decision to the men implicated?
§ Mr. DUKEThere has been unavoidable delay in this matter, though not to the extent suggested by the question. It arose chiefly from the unprecedented nature of the case and the fact that Departments in Great Britain, as well as in Ireland, had to arrive at their several decisions.