§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is now in a position to fix the date for the Debate on the Financial Relations between Great Britain and Ireland; and, whether he can say how many days the Government are prepared to give for the Debate?
§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is now in a position to fix a date for the Debate on the Report of the Commission on the Financial Relations between Great Britain and Ireland?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.In answer to the hon. Gentleman, and also to the hon. Member for East Mayo, I have to say that, as the House is aware, the discussion on this important question of the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland was deferred in deference to the general wish of hon. Members from Ireland. We shall begin the discussion, in Committee, of the Education Bill on Thursday next. I think it would be inconvenient that the Committee stage of the Bill should be interrupted by other business. As soon, however, as that stage is concluded, I shall be prepared to find time for the discussion of the financial relations.
§ MR. J. REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman not able to say anything more definite in regard to the first portion of the Question? I may point out in regard to the second portion of my Question that the right hon. Gentleman has given no answer at all.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYAs regards the first part of the Question, the hon. Gentleman will see that it is impossible for me to forecast, I will not say with certainty, but with anything like confidence, the precise length of time which will be occupied in Committee on the Education Bill. I hope it 885 will not be long, but that does not depend on the Government or on the supporters of the Government. As to the second paragraph of the Question, there is no desire on the part of the Government to unduly stint the discussion on the financial relations. We are prepared to give ample time, and I hope that pledge will not he abused by those hon. Gentlemen who desire to take part in the Debate.
§ MR. DILLONasked if the discussion would be taken the first week in March, when the Irish Land Bill would be introduced—the Wednesday to be free for the Irish Land Bill?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYIt will be taken the second week in March, and I hope the Committee stage of the Education Bill will be finished by then.
§ MR. DILLONasked whether he correctly understood that, if the Committee stage of the Education Bill was not finished before March 10, the right hon. Gentleman proposed to take the Wednesday for the Irish Land Bill?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI shall have no choice in the matter.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked whether the Government intended to proceed with the Committee Stage of the Education Hill de die in diem until it was finished?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYYes, Sir, with the exception of Friday.
§ MR. J. MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman would place on the Table as a Return the terms of the reference to the Commission on the financial relations? It would be convenient to have it before us in print.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI do not know whether it is usual to lay on the Table as a Return the terms of the reference to a Royal Commission, but I will see what I can do to comply with the wish of the right hon. Gentleman.
§ MR. J. REDMONDasked whether, in view of the strong opinion entertained against the appointment of the Commission on this subject, the right hon. Gentleman would not suspend any step in the direction of its appointment until after the Debate?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI think I gave a pledge in that direction before, but if I am wrong I am quite willing to state again that the Commission will not be appointed until after the Debate on the financial relations.