§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Prime Minister if he had given any pledge that Home Rule will be carried this Parliament?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe only pledges I have given on this subject are to be found in my public declarations.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENYour friends are easily satisfied. I beg to ask Question 47—
Captain CRAIGBefore that question is answered may I ask, as arising out of the previous question, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Ulster is not going to take any form of Home Rule at all?
§ Lord HUGH CECILrose, but was received with cries of "Divide, divide," and interruptions. [After an interval,]
§ Mr. SPEAKERWill the Noble Lord put his question?
§ Lord HUGH CECILArising out of the answer—[interruptions]—
§ Mr. SPEAKERHas the hon. Gentleman risen to a point of Order?
Captain CRAIGYes, Sir. I beg to ask you whether you will put the same Standing Order into force to-day as you did yesterday?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI may be compelled to do it, but I hope not yet.
§ Lord HUGH CECILArising out of the answer of the Prime Minister, may I ask him whether it is the intention of the Government to submit the Home Rule question to the decision of the country before it is passed into law?
§ An HON. MEMBER (to the Prime Minister): Do not answer.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the one on the Paper. Notice should be given of it.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENI put this question (No. 47) a long time ago: Whether the Cabinet will call in any expert financial advisers on the subject of Home Rule except the Financial Relations Committee recently appointed; and, if not, will he reconsider the decision not to lay before the House the evidence taken by the Committee and their report before committing the Cabinet to the terms of a Home Rule Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not yet able to say of what financial advice the Government may ultimately avail themselves.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will be good enough to say if this Committee makes certain financial recommendations how can the Government justify the rejection of their expert advice? Are they not, practically speaking, bound by their conclusions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, not in the least.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENMay I point out to the right hon. Gentleman—[An Hon. MEMBER: "No."]—Will the Prime Minister kindly give his reason?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe function of this Committee was to provide information only. That information will be considered by the Government, and the Cabinet are in no way bound by the recommendations of the Committee.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPECan the right hon. Gentleman state what is the amount of the deficit this Committee said the Imperial Treasury would have to pay in the event of Home Rule becoming law?
§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEWhen the right hon. Gentleman does make up his mind regarding Home Rule will he communicate his decision to this House before he communicates it in a letter to the Press?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not answer insolent questions.
§ Lord HUGH CECILMay I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the word "insolent" is in order?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI want one question put to me at a time.
§ Lord HUGH CECILI wish to ask whether the word "insolent" is in order?
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTMay I also ask whether the word "Traitor" is in order?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNeither of the words is in order.
§ Lord HUGH CECILWill the Prime Minister withdraw it? [HON. MEMBERS: "Name."]
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must ask the Noble Lord to sit down.
§ Mr. F. E. SMITHAs I understand your ruling—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have now disposed of that matter.
§ Mr. F. E. SMITHOn a point of Order. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."]