72. Colonel NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, when and if the Irish Treaty (Agreement) Bill becomes law, the cost of such Irish services as education, health, out-of-work donation, and police will be automatically transferred to the Provisional Government or will there be an appointed day for the transfer of any or all of such services; and which Government is finding the pay, at £3 10s. per week, of the members of the Irish Rpublican Army and from what sources are the necessary funds drawn?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn reply to the first part of the question, it is proposed to provide by Order in Council under Clause I (2) of the Bill for the transfer of the various Irish services on dates to be agreed with the Provisional Government. I hope that, in the case of the great majority of the services, the transfer will be effected at the beginning of next financial year. As from the date of transfer, responsibility for the cost of the transferred service will automatically pass to the Provisional Government. In reply to the second part, I have no information as to the rate of pay of members of the so-called Irish Republican Army, nor as to the sources from which the necessary funds are drawn, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that no part of such expenditure will be met out of moneys provided by Parliament.