80. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the sum of £95,880, which is to be found by Great Britain during the next financial year in respect of works and buildings in Ireland, is wholly in respect of works and buildings in the Irish Free State; and, if so, will the whole or part of this sum be ultimately recovered from the Free State Exchequer?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs the hon. and gallant Member will see when the detailed Estimates appear, about £20,000 of this provision is in respect of certain services in the Free State such as the Ministry of Pensions, which are an Imperial obligation. Such expenditure is, accordingly, not recoverable from the Free State Exchequer.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan nothing be done to stop these questions, which constitute a libel on another country, being put?
§ Mr. SPEAKERQuestions dealing with the internal affairs of the Irish Free State are not allowed in the House. The hon. Member may be assured that questions are scrutinised carefully before they are allowed to appear on the Paper.