§ 63. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated sum payable by the Irish Free State towards the service of the public debt of the United Kingdom and of War pensions as provided by Article 5 of the Treaty, and what payments have actually been made; and what is the total amount payable and actually paid to date by the Government of Northern Ireland as its contribution to the Imperial revenue under the Act of 1920?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. J. H. Thomas)Under Article 5 of the Treaty the amount of the liability to be assumed by the Irish Free State for debt and War pensions is to be determined by agreement, or, in default of agreement, by arbitration. No sum has yet been determined in accordance with this Article. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Fermanagh and Tyrone on the 6th instant.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhy are the Government so anxious to secure the immediate fulfilment of Clause 12 of the Treaty while Clause 5, vitally important as it is, is left in abeyance?
§ Mr. THOMASFor the obvious reason that Clause 12 of the Treaty must be determined before Clause 5 can be applied. Clause 5 determines the amount, and we cannot determine the amount until the boundary is settled.
§ Mr. J. JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Members of this House are continually receiving letters from Northern Ireland from pensioners and ex-service men, asking why they are not receiving justice?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.