§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the names of the financial experts and other well-qualified persons, including in the number representatives of different sections of Irish opinion whom the Cabinet have taken into consultation in connection with the financial relations between Great 1807 Britain and Ireland; will those Gentlemen sit with the Committee of the Cabinet or as a separate Departmental Committee; will they take evidence and make a formal report; if so, will the nature of the evidence be made public, and for what period of time it is estimated their investigation will last; will they proceed on the basis of the Report of the Childers Royal Commission of 1894; and, if not, upon what other basis?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not at present able to give the names or the particulars for which the hon. Member asks.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENIs it not a fact that the Chief Secretary has publicly announced that on the result of this inquiry will depend whether we shall have Home Rule, and that he himself apprehends that it will be a very tight fit, and whether, in view of the importance of this investigation the Irish people will be left in total ignorance of who the men are who will decide their fate?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThey will not decide their fate at all. This is information which is required for the guidance and information of the Government.
§ Mr. MALCOLMWhat is the reason for secrecy as applied to these financial experts?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no secrecy whatever. I am going to give their names as soon as practicable.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHHave the names of the financial experts been confided to the two Nationalist Members who have gone on a begging expedition to Australia?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope very soon.
§ Lord HUGH CECILWill the announcement be made before Easter?