§ 82. Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the cost to the State of the opening of the Northern Parliament for Ireland, including naval, military, police, and other forces which were requisitioned for the occasion?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood)I do not know the exact cost to the State of the opening of the Northern Parliament. Whatever the precise figure may be, it is negligible compared with the beneficent result of the Royal visit.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question and not make replies to something which is not on the Paper at all?, I have asked when can we have these figures?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI endeavoured to answer the question. I do not know, and I cannot ascertain without an enormous amount of detailed labour involving a great number of Departments, the exact cost of the opening of the Northern Parliament. I do not think I would be justified in undertaking this enormous and detailed work at the present time in Ireland. I am convinced any extra cost incurred owing to the Royal visit was negligible.
§ Mr. DEVLINMay I ask, in view of all that occurred in connection with the Royal visit, whether the spending of all this money on military and naval forces was not another instance of squandermania?