§ COLONEL SAUNDERSONI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed this Session with the appointment of a Commission on the Financial Relations between England and Ireland?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Commission to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers would have been appointed, as he is aware, ten months ago had we received any assistance from hon. Gentlemen opposite, but a large number of Gentlemen representing Nationalist constituencies declined to assist us, and the Front Bench opposite took the same view. Since that date, as the House is aware, the Government have resolved to add a large amount to that already contributed from Imperial sources for purely Irish purposes—a large amount for purely Irish purposes. Until this policy receives the approval of Parliament it is manifest that the investigation of any Commission must be on imperfect data. When we know what the fate of the Bill introduced last night is to be we shall be in a better position to decide what to do.
§ COLONEL SAUNDERSONAre the Government prepared to favourably respond to the request put forward on behalf of Irish representatives of all shades of opinion, assembled in meeting, to grant an early opportunity for a discussion on the Financial Relations between Great Britain and Ireland?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Government are far from having any wish to prevent further discussion on this subject; in fact, so far as we are concerned, we shall welcome any debate; but in the present condition of public business it is quite impossible for me to make any promise for the purpose of affording a Debate on 1377 the subject referred to. I am sure that hon. Gentlemen from Ireland will forgive me for reminding them that four out of the total number of days spent in discussing the Address were devoted to Irish Amendments, and that the great Measure of the Session, which, so far as we can form any forecast, will occupy the greater part of our time is an Irish Bill. Therefore, I do not think Irish questions can be said this Session to have fallen into the background. If we make such satisfactory progress with the Measure as will enable us to give a day for the purpose desired, we shall be happy to do so, but, of course, it is impossible to say what will be the amount of time devoted to the Bill.
§ MR. J. E. REDMOND (Waterford)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the request for facilities for a discussion on this question comes from Members representing all parts of Ireland, and are we to understand that, when a request is made by practically the entire Irish representation for one day for the discussion of a question of this enormous importance, the Government, refuse to grant that request?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYNo, Sir; the last thing the hon. Gentleman has a right to infer from my answer is that we have refused anything. If Irish Members of all shades of opinion put this question in the forefront of those which they want to discuss, I should have thought that they would have raised it first on the Address. But I think it rests largely with Gentlemen opposite to so assist the Government in getting through Irish business that there will be no excuse for the Government, if they think we desire an excuse, for refusing a day.
§ MR. J. REDMONDMay I point out that there is a difficulty on a question of this kind of moving an Amendment to the Address, as every Amendment to the Address is regarded by the Government as implying want of confidence in them.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYWell, Sir, I do not know what form the discussion can take if a day is found for it. It will be quite an experiment in Parliamentary procedure.