§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the names of the financial experts and other well-qualified persons, including in the number representatives of different elections of Irish opinion who have been taken into consultation by the Cabinet in connection with the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)No, Sir, I am not at present in a position to make any announcement.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENWhen may we hope to have this announcement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERBefore long.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENAre we likely to have some announcement on the subject, and 898 as to the result of the inquiry, before the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduces his next Budget?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat I cannot say.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENWhy, then, is an announcement publicly made by the responsible Minister for Ireland if it was intended to keep this inquiry shrouded in mystery?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no mystery of any kind whatever about it. It is an inquiry now being conducted by the Government for their own guidance and information.