§ 28. Colonel GRETTONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his Department knows the value of the arms, equipment, and stores of all kinds, and also of buildings and land, handed over to the Irish Free State Government and the Irish Provisional Government by the War Office; and will he state what was the total sum of the value to date?
§ Mr. GWYNNEI am not yet in a position to furnish the figures, but I hope they will be available in time for inclusion in the White Paper upon the Financial Relations between the British and Free State Governments, which the Treasury have undertaken to present this Session.
§ Colonel GRETTONWhy is the hon. Gentleman not in a position to give the figures?
§ Mr. GWYNNEOur information is not complete by any means.
§ Colonel GRETTONAre we to understand that the War Office handed over valuable property to the Free State before it was valued?
§ Mr. GWYNNEI understand that is the case as regards a considerable amount of the property referred to.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWas this property not valued at the time?
§ Mr. GWYNNEIf the right hon. Gentleman is referring to arms and ammunition sent from this country, I understand it was obtained through the Disposal Board.
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKWhy was the Disposal Board used as an agency for handing over these stores? Is not the function of the Disposal Board to dispose of these assets for the advantage of the nation and not to hand them over?
§ Mr. GWYNNEThe right hon. Gentleman should address that question to the Treasury, who are responsible for the Disposal Board. I may add that as the 1158 Public Accounts Committee are now inquiring into the matter, it is not desirable to raise the question in the House at present.