§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister whether the present actuarial inquiry into the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland will adopt as established the conclusions of the Financial Relations Commission; whether it will extend over the whole period since the Act of Union or only since that Commission; whether it is restricted to the actual public cash transactions between the two countries, or will take account of such things as the preponderance of public expenditure in one country as compared with the other, and the drain of rent, and now 2418 of purchase money, out of Ireland to absentee landlords; about what time its Report is expected; whether it will be accompanied by' sufficient data to enable business people to check its conclusions; and whether, in this matter affecting every class and section of the Irish population, he undertakes that there shall be no secret bargains with individuals, and that all information proper to be given to any shall be given at the same time and as fully to all Irish representatives?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis question proceeds upon an entire misapprenhension as to the character and purport of the inquiry referred to. The Committee is a purely advisory body for the sole benefit of the Cabinet, and, as it is not intended to publish any report, no information concerning its operations can be given. The names of the persons composing the Committee will, I expect, be made public before the end of the week.