HC Deb 03 May 1911 vol 25 cc426-7
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the anxiety created in Ireland by the appointment of the secret ex parte committee to investigate Ireland's financial relations for the sole benefit of the Cabinet, and the inference from the Chief Secretary's statements that it might attempt to set aside or neutralise the findings of the Financial Relations Commission, and the claim for restitution of excessive taxes based thereon, whether he would spare a day before Whitsuntide for the discussion of those relations in this House; and, if so, about what time; and having regard to the interests and rights of the Irish people in Ireland's financial relations, if he would say on what Irish recommendation or with what Irish concurrence the secret British committee on that subject had been appointed for the sole benefit of the Cabinet; and if he could name any Irish representative person or body that approved of the composition of that committee, or regarded it otherwise than with distrust?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot add anything to the answers already given to the hon. Member on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary and myself. I am unable to give a day for the discussion of this matter.