HC Deb 05 September 1893 vol 17 cc109-10
SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present value of, or what sums have been expended upon, the property of the Post Office in Ireland, which will under the Government of Ireland Bill be handed over without repayment to the new Irish Government?

SIR W. HARCOURT

If the hon. Member will procure a copy of the Bill he will find that there has been no such transfer, that the property remains in the hands of the Imperial Post Office, and that no question of repayment will arise.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has perverted my question. I asked for the value of such Government property as will be transferred.

SIR W. HARCOURT

I do not understand how it will be transferred when the Bill does not transfer it. It will be in the hands of the Imperial Government.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Ultimately?

SIR W. HARCOURT

Yes, ultimately. I have already stated that the way for the hon. Gentleman to obtain an answer is to obtain a copy of the Bill.

MR. GOSCHEN

But may we not take it that the policy of the Government is to hand over the Post Office to the Irish Government, and that that will be the ultimate result of the passing of the Bill?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I am afraid that I can only reply that my right hon. Friend should also procure a copy of the Bill.

MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to assert that there is no possibility, under the powers of the Bill, that the Post Office may be transferred to the Irish Government? What kind of property is there power to transfer?

SIR W. HARCOURT

Well, I must distribute some copies of the Bill amongst the gentlemen opposite. It has been before them 82 days. They should know what it contains.

MR. TOMLINSON

Yes, but it has been altered.