Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the terms of the proviso to Clause 41, sub-section (2), of the Government of Ireland Bill, it would be possible for the Irish Parliament to so adjust taxation as to make it impossible for Ireland to contribute to imperial expenditure, although the resources of the country would make it possible for such a contribution to be made under a proper scheme of taxation?
§ The POSTMASTER - GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)Clause 17 (2) of the Bill provides for a corresponding reduction of the transferred sum in case the Irish Parliament reduce or discontinue an Imperial tax. Such action by the Irish Parliament cannot therefore appreciably postpone the date when Clause 26 (1) becomes operative.