§ 43. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to an article in the "Round Table "advocating that colonial autonomy should be granted to the North and South of Ireland and that the apportionment of the shares of the National Debt should be the subject of judicial arbitration; and whether, in order to put an end to the present state of affairs, he will adopt the policy herein put forward?
§ The PRIME MINISTEREven if Parliament approved such a policy, I have every reason to believe that it would not be accepted by the men who are responsible for violence in Ireland, but, on the contrary, that such a declaration would be regarded by them as a sign of weakness on the part of the Imperial Government, and thus encourage further violence.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sum asked for between North and South is beyond Ireland's financial resources?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not understand the question.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it not a fact that it is agreed by both North and South that they cannot pay the sum asked for?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI certainly never heard of any conclusion of that kind being arrived at by the North and South. The South say they will not pay.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs he aware the Belfast Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution to the effect that—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should put a question of that kind upon the Paper.