§ LORD BALCARRESOn behalf of the hon. Member for the Blackpool Division of Lancashire I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland why it is proposed that the cost of the first election to the Irish Council shall be provided by Parliament and not by the Irish Exchequer as for subsequent elections.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.As the financial provisions of the Bill will not come into force until after the first Council has been elected, it is considered reasonable that the expenses of the first election should be borne by Parliament.