§ 24. Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether 1392 he can give an exact list of the stores so far handed over to the Provisional Government; and whether it is intended to hand over any more stores?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is not yet possible to furnish the information asked for in this question. Large quantities of non-military stores of different kinds have been handed over on the evacuation of military and police barracks and camps throughout Southern Ireland, and to prepare a complete digest of the numerous inventories which have been taken would entail an expenditure of clerical labour which for the moment cannot conveniently be undertaken. I am unable in the present circumstances to give any definite reply to the last part of my Noble Friend's question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYCan the right. hon. Gentleman tell us whether any of these stores have been paid for in cash, or have they been handed over "on tick"?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNone have been paid for in cash. It is intended that they should be brought into the general financial settlement between the two countries, if that is what my hon. and gallant Friend intends by the expression of which he made use.