HC Deb 06 January 1916 vol 77 cc1113-4
57. Mr. BYRNE

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the amount of money granted by the Government to the Cunard Company; what the Grant is made for, and whether the Cunard Company are carrying out their agreement in full; and if there will be any retrenchment in this matter?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu)

An agreement, under which His Majesty's Government pay annually, under certain conditions, a sum of £150,000 to the Cunard Steamship Company, was entered into in 1903. In accordance with Clause 8 thereof, this sum has been reduced by £60,000 per annum as from the date of the loss of the "Lusitania." Full particulars of the agreement will be found in Cd. 1703 of 1903.

Mr. P. MEEHAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amount in Grants earned by the Gaelic colleges in Ireland is only £2,279, according to the last Report of the Department? Does he consider that an unimportant sum to stop from Irish colleges, seeing that it will result in closing them?

Mr. MONTAGU

I was not aware of those facts. But, of course, I cannot vary the contract.