HC Deb 13 March 1922 vol 151 cc1766-7
38. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Prime Minister what are the intentions of the Government with regard to the completion of land purchase in Ireland?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Churchill)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke on the 9th instant.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Docs the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless there is some scheme for buying out the people concerned their position will be very dangerous and uncertain?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am fully alive to that.

40. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state what arrangement has been come to between the British Government and the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State with regard to the annuities hitherto collected from Irish farmers to pay the interest and principal of moneys advanced by Imperial Parliament; do these annuities, where paid, go direct to the treasury of the Free State Government; will he say what is their estimated value for the coming financial year; and what is the total capital sum advanced?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It has been arranged that these annuities will be collected in future by the Provisional Government, who will pay an appropriate sum in respect thereof into the British Exchequer. The latter part of the question involves the collection of statistics from Ireland, and I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to give mc longer notice.

Colonel NEWMAN

Is the Irish Provisional Government collecting these annuities at the present time?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The Irish Provisional Government has no statutory exist-once at the present moment.

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