HC Deb 16 May 1911 vol 25 cc1830-2
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Prime Minister, whether there is any and, if so, what precedent for the appointment by one country of a Committee to investigate its financial relations with another country, with a view to the readjustment of their political and financial relations, without consulting any representative of the other country regarding the composition of the Committee or giving it any effective representation on that body?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

rose to reply.

Mr. GINNELL

This question is addressed to the Prime Minister, as it belongs to his Department. As a Member of this House I claim the common courtesy of a reply.

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

I would ask my right hon. Friend (Mr. Birrell) to answer the question.

Mr. GINNELL

If it is convenient to the right hon. Gentleman, I. will postpone it until to-morrow.

The PRIME MINISTER

It comes to the same thing.

Mr. BIRRELL

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to the question.

Mr. GI NNELL

I beg to ask for a reply from the Minister to whom the question is addressed.

Mr. SPEAKER

Obviously, in the opinion of the Prime Minister, it does not come within his Department. If he thought it did, I have not the slightest doubt he would be prepared to answer it. The reason why he has asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant to answer it is because, in the opinion of the Prime Minister, it comes within the Department of the Chief Secretary.

Mr. BIRRELL

The Committee now sitting has not been appointed by the country, but by the Cabinet.

Mr. MOORE

Was any Member of this House consulted on the question of this Committee before it was appointed?

Mr. BIRRELL

Certainly not.

Mr. GINNELL

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government accept or reject the unanimous findings of the Financial Relations Commission that identity of rates of taxation in two countries does not necessarily involve equality of burden, and that the true measure of the taxable capacity of a country is its surplus revenue after having provided the necessaries of life for its inhabitants; and, seeing that all Treasury officials and a majority of the secret Committee on this subject reject these principles, what measures, if any, are taken to ensure that the statistics, calculations, and information prepared for the Committee shall be in accordance with those principles?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am not prepared to discuss the questions referred to in the first part of the question. The Committee will obtain such information as they may think necessary in order to enable them to discharge their duty, the nature of which I have already explained.

Mr. GINNELL

asked the Prime Minister whether all the documents and information submitted to the Committee on Irish Financial Relations will be submitted simultaneously to this House?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, Sir.

Mr. GINNELL

I must ask leave later to move the Adjournment of the House.

The HON. MEMBER

asked the Prime Minister what time limit is imposed upon the secret ex parte Committee investigating Ireland's financial relations for the sole benefit of the Cabinet; when will the result be communicated to other Members of Parliament; and will it be communicated to all Members simultaneously?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Committee have not been tied down to any particular date for completing their task. As regards the remainder of the question, I have nothing to add to my reply of 6th April.

Mr. EDGAR JONES

Under the circumstances will the Committee state the financial relations of Scotland and Wales separately while about it?

Mr. BIRRELL

No; we do not ask for that.

Mr. MOORE

If this Committee reports that it is impossible to devise a financial scheme, will that be communicated to the House?

Mr. BIRRELL

I think it most probable that the Cabinet would assume then the responsibility of dealing with the matter themselves.