§ Mr. RONALD M'NEILLasked the Prime Minister whether the English High Court of Justice will have jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus and certiorari in relation to acts or omissions of the Joint-Exchequer Board proposed to be established by the Government of Ireland Bill; and, if not, what Court will have jurisdiction over the said Board?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is nothing in the Government of Ireland Bill to prevent the King's Courts from exercising, in a proper case, and if necessity should arise, due control over the discharge of its statutory duties by the Joint Exchequer Board. The question in. any specific case whether any and what Court has power to interfere, cannot be answered in advance, since it entirely depends on what the Board does and how it does it.
§ Mr. R. M'NEILLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the possibility of varying jurisdictions, he will put into the Bill some Clause which will, make it clear as to whether the High Court in England or the High Court in Ireland, will have jurisdiction?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am advised that is not likely to arise, but when we-reach that point in Committee I will consider the matter.
§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Joint Exchequer Board will be controlled by the Imperial Parliament?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt will be an independent body acting independently, because it performs statutory duties.