§ 52. Mr. EVELYN CECILasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Clause 4 of the Government of Ireland Amendment Bill, introduced by the Lord Privy Seal into the House of Lords on behalf of His Majesty's Government, deals entirely with finance, and that the privileges of this House by which it has exclusive control of provisions imposing charges upon the people have been thereby infringed; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTEREven if the Clause referred to did involve a breach of privilege—as to which I express no opinion—this matter is one for this House to deal with when the Bill comes to it. The House can and often does waive its privilege.
§ 57 Mr. NEWMANasked the Prime Minister (1) whether, under the terms of the Government of Ireland (Amend- 31 ment) Bill, in the event of the county of Londonderry being excluded and the city of Londonderry being included in the Government of Ireland Bill, he will say by what method the yield of the Income Tax of a citizen with a business place in the city and a residence in the county will be allocated as between the Imperial and Irish Exchequers in the event of the rate of the tax not being identical; (2) whether, in the event of the Government of Ireland (Amendment) Bill becoming an Act, it is intended that one of the members of the Joint Exchequer Board shall be a representative of any portion of Ireland that may be excluded from the terms of the Government of Ireland Bill; and, if not, in what manner the interests of such excluded portion of Ireland will be safeguarded in determining the costs of the Irish services as laid down in Section 4 of the Amending Bill; and (3) whether, in the event of any portion of Ireland being excluded from the terms of the Government of Ireland Bill, the Grants in relief of local ratepayers which it is proposed to make from the Imperial Exchequer under Part II. of the Finance Bill, 1914, will be made in relief of ratepayers resident in such excluded portion, subject to the efficiency of the local authorities and dependent on a valuation showing separately the annual value of the site and of the improvement, or will be paid to the Lord Lieutenant to allocate in such a way or by such regulation as he shall direct?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI fear I am not in a position to discuss the provisions and effect of Bills which have been introduced in another place and have not yet come before this House.