§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDI desire to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question, of which I have given him private notice—whether, in view of the fact that the National Insurance Bill itself recognises that a distinction is necessary between the case of Great Britain and the case of Ireland, and that in the opinion of the people of Ireland further such distinctions must be made to render the insurance scheme equitable as between the two countries, he considers it possible and desirable that the case of Ireland should be dealt with separately in the Bill, and if so will he agree to deal with the necessary modifications for Ireland by Amendments to Clause 59 and such other Clauses as affect Ireland specifically?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEWhen I came to frame the Bill I found that the conditions as to labour, medical attendance, and in a few other rather important respects, were very different in Ireland, especially as to organisation. There were very few societies there, and I had to frame separate Clauses to deal with Ireland; therefore I should have thought it would be very convenient when we come to consider the Bill that all proposals with regard to Ireland should be dealt with in connection with the Irish Clauses in the Bill. If that suits the convenience of hon. Members, certainly it would be convenient to the Government as well.