HC Deb 10 November 1920 vol 134 cc1314-6

(1) If the Government of Southern Ireland signify their desire to acquire for the use of the Parliament of Southern Ireland the premises (hereinafter referred to as "the bank premises") of the Bank of Ireland situate in or near College Green, in the City of Dublin, they shall be entitled to do so on the fulfilment of the following conditions:—

  1. (a) there shall be provided at the ex-pense of the Government of Southern Ireland for the use of the bank premises suitable and ready for occupation as head office of the Bank of Ireland;
  2. (b) there shall be paid to the bank compensation in respect of the bank promises and of disturbance, after taking into consideration the value of the new premises to be provided as aforesaid;
and on the publication in the "Dublin Gazette of an Order by His Majesty in Council declaring that the said conditions have been fulfilled, the bank premises shall vest in His Majesty for the use of the Parliament of Southern Ireland.

(2) Any question as to whether the premises so to be provided are suitable or ready for occupation, or as to the amount of compensation, shall be determined by a court of arbitration consisting of one person appointed by the Bank of Ireland, one person appointed by the Government of Southern Ireland, and a judge of a Supreme Court of Justice for any part of the United Kingdom (who shall be the chairman of the court) appointed by His Majesty, and there shall be paid to the members of the court, other than the chairman, such fees or other remuneration as the chairman of the court may determine to be proper, and those fees or remuneration and any other expenses of the court shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund of Southern Ireland.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

I beg to move in Sub-section (1, a) to leave out the words "premises suitable" and insert instead thereof the words "a site and building suitable both as to situation and site and accommodation."

This is an agreed Amendment to carry out the arrangements under this Clause for acquiring the premises of the Bank of Ireland for the Southern Parliament if it is so desired.

Colonel NEWMAN

If this is an agreed Amendment I do not know with whom it is agreed. The people who are interested here are the people who have to pay the taxes in the South of Ireland. I got from the right hon. Gentleman earlier in the afternoon the fact that, presuming that the South of Ireland Parliament does not function, if the members do not take the oath of allegiance, there will be set up a nominated assembly consisting partly of members drawn from the Privy Council and partly of other gentlemen nominated either by the Privy Council or the Government. Is that nominated assembly to have its Prime Minister, its Home Secretary, its Minister without Portfolio, and all the rest? It is obvious that the only suitable place in Dublin is where the Bank of Ireland now stands. It occupies what is probably the most expensive site in Ireland. Because of its size and importance and grand character it is not a place which a few Privy Councillors and 20 other people should occupy. It may seem a small thing, but a certain amount of money will have to be provided by the taxpayers of the South of Ireland in acquiring these premises. Is it intended that members of this nominated assembly shall have power to acquire these great premises to house themselves? If so, are they to have it all to themselves? Have they to house there the Council of Ireland, an important body? Then there is the Senate. Is that also going to the Bank of Ireland?

Sir F. BANBURY

May I humbly suggest to the Government that the practice which has been maintained by the Government during the last two days of never answering questions put by Members of Parliament is quite contrary to the practice which has been followed during many generations. All the questions put have been put in a proper manner and some answer, however short, should be given.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

I do not think that charge can be substantiated. I have answered question after question, and have spoken by leave of the House over and over again on the same Amendment. I have been doing that all day long. I am very glad to answer the question, though I should have thought it was a question which hardly need have been put. We know what the framework of the Bill is. If there is no elected Parliament for Southern Ireland there will be a nominated Parliament for Southern Ireland. My hon. and gallant Friend asks me whether they will occupy these bank premises. They will obviously have to occupy some premises, but I cannot tell whether they will occupy these particular premises. This Government of Southern Ireland, whether elected or nominated, will have certain rights with regard to premises under this Bill, and, whether nominated or elected, they will exercise those rights.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In Subsection (2) leave out the word "premises," and insert instead thereof the words "site and buildings."— [Sir L. Worthington-Evans.]