§ MR. L. P. HAYDEN (Roscommon, s.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the small 1271 majority by which the first Vote towards the statute for Oliver Cromwell was carried on Friday, and the strong feeling of opposition to it, he will ask the House of Commons to proceed further in the matter; or, if not, will he arrange to take the Report Stage at an hour when the matter can be further considered?
§ MR. DARLINGasked whether the proposal to put up a statue to Oliver Cromwell was not carried by a majority exceeding the normal Government majority. [Loud Nationalist cries of "Order," and laughter.]
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT, Derby)I do not think this is a matter of sufficient importance to require special arrangements to be made in reference to it. I think it should proceed in the ordinary course.
§ MR. W. REDMONDasked the right hon. Gentleman, in view of his statement that the matter was of no importance, whether he was aware of the fact that every newspaper in Ireland, of all shades of opinion, had condemned this proposal; and whether, in view of the fact that the erection of this statue would undoubtedly give great offence to a large portion of the community, he would not consider it advisable to withdraw this estimate and let the admirers of Oliver Cromwell pay for the statue themselves.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIn my Office as Chancellor of the Exchequer I should be very glad if gentlemen would pay for the statue themselves. I did not say it was a question of no importance; I said it was not of such considerable importance as to demand a special arrangement. It is really a matter for the House to decide, and I think it ought to be decided in the ordinary way.
§ MR. W. REDMONDasked, whether it was intended to take that night the report of the Vote of Supply involving this sum of £500 for Oliver Cromwell's statue?
§ MR. W. REDMONDThen I beg to give notice that I will oppose it as strongly as I can.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLSo will we all.