HC Deb 26 February 1912 vol 34 cc995-6
Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked whether the Prime Minister has received any communication from any official or public bodies in Ireland urging the importance of granting to Ireland the imposition and collection of her Customs under a Home Rule Bill?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not aware that I have received any representations from any responsible bodies on this subject.

Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked whether the Prime Minister will consider the advisability of establishing a temporary Customs cordon in Ireland for the purpose of discovering what in reality is the true revenue of that country; and whether, in the absence of such information, he proposes to base the financial clauses of the Home Rule Bill on the figures contained in the annual White Papers?

Mr. McKENNA

I see no necessity for the measure suggested by the hon. Member; as regards the latter part of the question the financial clauses of the Bill will be based on the information in the possession of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Will that information be published?

Mr. McKENNA

I fancy it will be published at some date, but I am unable to say when.

Captain CRAIG

May I ask whether it is not fatal to base any Bill on some of the information of the present Government?