HC Deb 26 March 1901 vol 91 cc1381-2
MR. JOYCE (Limerick)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state how much of the total Vote for the Navy has been expended for the last year in Ireland, how it has been expended, and how much of the present Vote it is proposed to spend in Ireland.

*MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

The accounts of the Admiralty are not kept in such a form as to enable this information to be given. Any statement on the subject is necessarily incomplete, and is nothing more than an approximation.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Arising out of this matter may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the interest naturally felt in Ireland in this matter, he cannot take steps to make some arrangement to have it known how much the Irish people are likely to participate in the great expenditure on the Navy?

*MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

I do not think it would be possible to make a forecast of the expenditure. It is impossible to foresee what the movements of His Majesty's ships may be during the year.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

But the latter part of the question asks how much has been spent in Ireland during the last year. Surely that needs no forecast, and can be easily ascertained?

*MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

I do not think it would be possible to give anything more, than the approximate amount. I have no objection to endeavouring to obtain the information from the hon. Member, but I cannot promise to give the exact figures.

MR. JOYCE

Arising out of that answer, are we to understand that the hon. Gentleman will give the approximate amount?

*MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Yes; if I can.