§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked whether it will be possible for the proposed Irish Parliament which is to be established by the Government of Ireland Bill to disendow any Church or religious denomination, or to transfer the cathedrals and churches of the Church of Ireland to any other denomination, or to disendow the Presbyterians in Ireland of the State endowment granted to them by Parliament by the Act of 1869?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no express prohibition in the Bill of such legislation, nor do I think that such a prohibition is necessary, in view of the powers of veto reserved to the Crown and to the Imperial Parliament.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAre we to understand that St. Patrick's Cathedral might be taken by the Irish Parliament and given over to another denomination?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo. I do not think that there is the least possibility of anything of the kind.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWhat safeguard is there against it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is stated in my answer.