§ 29. Sir S. HOAREasked the Prime Minister whether he will circulate, before the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, a White Paper explaining its financial provisions and giving, amongst other details, the gross tax revenue per head that is being drawn from Ireland, Scotland and England.
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Baldwin)A White Paper will be circulated very shortly, but it is not proposed to include in it comparisons with England and Scotland. Such comparisons will be found for 1918–19 in the Financial Relations Return (House of Commons 163 of 1919) which gives the total revenue as contributed by each of the three countries. The corresponding return for 1919–20 will be issued when the complete returns for the financial year are available.
§ 38. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked whether it is the intention of the Government to send the Home Rule Bill to a Committee of the whole House?
51. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSasked whether, in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill being read a second time, it is proposed to deal with it in Committee of the whole House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not in a position to give a reply at present, but the intention of the Government in this respect will be made clear in the Second Reading Debate.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that large numbers of Members of this House look upon it as essential that far-reaching changes in our constitution should be discussed on the floor of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAll that will be taken into account.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCould the right hon. Gentleman make a statement on this before the Second Reading is decided, as 21 possibly the votes of Members on the Second Reading may depend on the decision of the Government on this matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA statement will be made before a Division on the Second Reading is taken.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIn view of the amount of the finances involved is it not entirely unprecedented that a Bill such as this should be taken in Committee upstairs?
§ Mr. BILLINGBefore giving a decision does the Government propose to take a vote of the House as to what course shall be adopted?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government will consider the question fully.
§ 49. Major O'NEILLasked the Prime Minister whether he can now say if the White Paper explanatory of the finance of the Government of Ireland Bill will contain figures showing the estimated true revenue and local expenditure of northern and southern Ireland respectively?
§ Mr. BALDWINYes, Sir; the White Paper will contain the best estimates of present revenue and expenditure that circumstances allow.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHCan the hon. Gentle man tell us on what basis these Estimates will be calculated?
§ Mr. BALDWINI cannot answer that.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHI did not think you would.