§ MR. FIELD () Dublin, St. PatrickI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Ex- 1128 chequer whether he is aware that the Supreme Court of Judicature in Ireland have at their credit in the Bank of Ireland a cash balance of £350,000 and securities to the amount of £6,000,000, and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a paymaster general in Ireland who would be authorised to advance from this £350,000 sums towards the assistance of Irish industries and technical institutions upon proper security being given.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI cannot say, without further inquiry, whether the figures quoted by the hon. Member are correct; the matter is not under my control. But whatever the amount may be, it could not be locked up in loans in the manner the hon. Member suggests, for it is liable to be called on at any time for payments to those to whom it belongs. Loans for purposes of the kind suggested might be made from funds at the disposal of the Board of Agriculture or the Congested Districts Board.