§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will sanction a Return showing the comparative outlay in England, Scotland, and Ireland respectively on foot of Government stores and supplies purchased since the beginning of the current financial year, April 1st, 1899, to the present time.
*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSThe preparation of such a Return would involve an immense amount of labour. I am not prepared to impose such a task upon the War Office at the present time.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the First Lord if it would not be possible to give such a Return, considering the great importance of this matter in its bearing upon the controversy arising out of the Report of the Financial Relations Commission? It is of the utmost importance, in view of the debate that is coming on next week.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am quite ready to make inquiry into the matter, but I understand that every Irish contractor has as great facility for obtaining contracts as English and Scotch contractors. Consequently, I do not see that the Return would have the bearing of which the hon. Gentleman speaks upon the debate.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman facilitate the obtaining by us of information as to the comparative, outlay upon alleged Imperial purposes in England, Scotland, and Ireland?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf that is the inquiry the hon. Gentleman desires, I shall be glad to try to give it, but I am afraid it will be very difficult to obtain the information.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman facilitate the obtaining of the Returns as soon as possible?
§ [No answer was given.]