§ 58. Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked why approximate figures, giving the Irish revenue and expenditure for the financial year 1912–13, are not now available, seeing that the figures for the preceding year were actually in print on the 16th April, 1912?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe Financial Relations Returns cannot be completed and have not in the past been published until a later period in the Session. The date of publication was in 1910, 20th July; in 1911, 12th July; in 1912, 1st July. In 1912, in view of the introduction of the Government of Ireland Bill in April, special and exceptional arrangements were made in advance to produce a White Paper in which approximate figures were given.
§ Mr. HEALYIn view of the fact that the Budget Resolution is the ordinary occasion for raising the question of financial relations between the two countries does not the right hon. Gentleman consider it desirable that on that occasion the full facts relating to the preceding year should be before the House?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEMy hon. Friend is, I understand, asking for the full figures to be produced within a fortnight of the close of the financial year. It would be quite impossible to do so, and when the Home Rule Bill was under discussion we could only give approximate figures. If the hon. Gentleman wants the actual figures he must wait the ordinary time.
§ Mr. HEALYMy question only asks for approximate figures, but I may add that the approximate figures last year, when finally subjected to correction, required very small correction indeed.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI will consider the question of giving approximate figures, but it must be thoroughly understood that they are approximate, based upon such facts as we have got, and that we are not bound by them when we get the actual figures.