§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the representations from the Irish Government about the future of the 16th century Irish cannon currently in the royal armouries.
§ Mr. KeyThe two guns cast in London by Robert and John Owen in the late 1540s were bought in good faith from a reputable dealer in 1972. There have been various rumours in the subsequent 20 years, but no evidence about their origin. In June 1992 the National museum of Ireland claimed ownership, saying that an extensive police investigation was in progress. In October its acting keeper of antiquities visited the royal armouries and was given full access to their files. The position remains that no evidence has been presented to support the Irish claim and it seems sensible to await the outcome of their police investigation.