§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked why in the Return of Revenue and Expenditure (England, Scotland, and Ireland) (220†), the cost of old age pensions is treated as a local and not as a general charge; and whether, in connection with financial readjustments between Great Britain and Ireland, any change is in contemplation whereby the cost of old age pensions will be treated as a general charge?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe principles of classification adopted in the Return in question are explained in House of Commons Papers 329 of 1891 and 313 of 1894. I am not at present in a position to make any statement with regard to the latter part of the question.