§ 15. Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, under Sub-section (11) of Clause 2 of the Government of Ireland Bill, it would be competent for the Irish Legislature to alter or modify the details of the Land Purchase Acts, the Old Age Pensions Acts, the National Insurance Act, and the Labour Exchange Act; and if he will state what is meant by the general subject matter of those Acts?
§ Mr. RUSSELLIt will not be competent for the Irish Parliament to alter or modify the details of any of the enactments referred to so long as the administration of the enactment in question is a reserved service.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question and say what is the meaning of the expression "general subject matter of these Acts"?
§ Mr. RUSSELLIt may not be a very happy expression, but it had reference to land purchase enactments which are spread over a large number of Land Acts that are not specially Land Purchase Acts. That was the real reason of it. It can be considered in Committee if necessary.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it possible for the Irish authorities to pay the expenses of workmen in this country, under the Labour Exchange Act, to go to Ireland?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI do not see how that arises.
§ Captain CLIVEWho is to be the judge as to which Acts are capable of revision by the Irish Parliament?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is for discussion in Committee.