§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he is aware that a number of the leading Irish Joint Stock Banks have been in communication with the Irish Office since October last on the subject of the banking arrangements in connection with the Land Purchase (Ireland) Act and other matters, and that these banks have recently conveyed to the Irish Office their dissatisfaction with the decision on the question arrived at by that office; and, if so, whether, in view of the importance of the subject, he will give facilities for discussing it in the House.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINWe have been anxious to meet as far as possible the wishes of the Irish Joint Stock Banks, and with this object in view we have made it plain that the annuities payable by the purchasers can be paid into any bank for transmission to the Land Commission Account at the 932 Bank of Ireland. If the hon. and learned Member desires to discuss the question in this House a suitable opportunity would be afforded by the Irish Land Commission Vote. But perhaps I may be allowed to suggest that the most convenient course would be for representatives of the banks to meet the Chief Secretary and myself to discuss the matter privately before any such debate takes place, as I believe a preliminary discussion would be more likely to lead to a satisfactory understanding between us.