§ Mr. AMERYasked by what provision of the Government of Ireland Bill the Irish Government is restrained from granting bounties which may have the effect of establishing in Ireland a system of protection against. Great Britain or from applying the proceeds of any Irish tax for that purpose?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)There is no provision in the Bill preventing the Irish Parliament from making grants from Irish revenues to particular industries.
§ Mr. AMERYDoes not that plainly contradict the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman the other day? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he considers his answer to-day consistent with the answer he gave me the other day?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes. The hon. Member's question the other day contemplated a case in which the Irish Parliament imposed an additional Excise Duty and then handed back the amount of that duty to the persons from whom it was obtained. That would not be permitted.
§ Mr. AMERYWould it be permitted to grant a bounty if it happened to be equivalent to that Excise Duty, or if it happened to be two-thirds or quarter of it, or if it came from another source?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt depends upon the particular case.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument when we come to the Committee stage of the Bill.