§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the terms of reference laid down for the guidance of the proposed Royal Commission on the Financial Relations between Great Britain and Ireland empowers the Commission to inquire into the amount and application of the secret service fund used in connection with the Government of Ireland since the Union?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.It is for the Commission to put its own interpretation on the terms of reference, but I may say that we do not contemplate an inquiry such as the hon. Member suggests would form part of the duty of the Commission.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIn the event of the Commissioners holding a different opinion, will the Government offer all facilities for such an inquiry being made?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYWell, that is a hypothetical question, the answer to which I will reserve until the case arises.