HC Deb 22 February 1912 vol 34 cc728-9
Earl WINTERTON

asked the Prime Minister if he can state upon what Estimate the cost in connection with the holding of the Committee of Financial Relations between Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom will fall?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman) (for the Prime Minister)

The cost falls upon the Vote for Temporary Commissions for the current year.

Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the attention of the Special Committee appointed by the Government on Irish finance received evidence on the alleged understatement in the Financial Relations White Papers of the contribution of Income Tax by Ireland; and whether the Committee reached any, and, if so, what, conclusions on this subject; and (2) whether the attention of the Special Committee appointed by the Government on Irish finance was drawn to the discrepancy in the consumption of tea in Ireland, as shown in the Irish Import and Export Returns and in the annual White Papers; and whether they reached any, and, if so, what, conclusion as to the reliability of either set of figures?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna) (for the Prime Minister)

For reasons already given, I cannot at this stage make public the proceedings of the Committee either in whole or in part.

Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Is the Government in possession of information showing the unreliability of the published White Papers?

Mr. McKENNA

Will the hon. Member kindly give notice of that?

Mr. HAROLD SMITH

How many Members of this House have had access to this Report other than the Members of the Cabinet?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not aware, myself, of any. Will the hon. Member kindly put his question on the Paper?