§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister, (1) in view of his statement at the Colonial Conference that without absolute control of national finances freedom would be a mockery, he will state if the promised measure of full self-government for Ireland is being drafted in accordance with that principle; (2) whether he regards Crown property in Ireland as one of Ireland's assets for public purposes under self-government; and, if so, by whom he proposes to have a full account of that property since the Act of Union prepared as a matter of business and justice, and about what time it will be available for Members of this House; (3) when, and in what form, he proposes to make available to Irish representatives information possessed by the Government which is essential for discussion of the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland in which the rights and interests of both countries are equal; whether he will have the findings of the majority of the Financial Relations Commissioners reduced to figures, and their treatment extended to the subsequent years; and whether it is proposed to treat the £320,000,000 excessive taxes taken from Ireland since the Act of Union as the ascertained amount of restitution which Ireland is entitled to receive on entering upon full self-government?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)For the reasons which I stated a week ago, I cannot at present anticipate the 193 proposals which the Government may make in regard to the matters touched on in the hon. Gentleman's question.
§ Mr. GINNELLWhen will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give the information?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly when the Bill is introduced.