§ Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what authority the sum of £1,563 is annually voted by the House of Commons for the King's Plate for racing in the Irish Free State; and whether he will, in the interest of economy, have the Vote, Class VI, Vote 7, Sub-head G, removed from the Civil Estimates for the next year?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)The payment referred to has 1143 been voted annually by this House for nearly a hundred years. In view of the special nature of the payment and the comparatively small amount involved, it was decided to continue the payment after the establishment of the Irish Free State and the Northern Ireland Government.
§ Mr. DAVIESIs it not the policy of the Government to economise on the main roads of this country and, therefore, to pay this money to racecourses in Ireland?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask whether any demand is made for plate for racing in England?
§ Mr. SAMUELI should like notice of these questions.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEWill the Financial Secretary consider having the latest stable information available for Members of the Liberal party and the Lloyd George party?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODNow that the hon. Member has gone to the Treasury as a new broom, cannot he sweep away one hundred years old abuses like this?
§ Mr. SAMUELI think the right hon. and gallant Member should be the last person in the world to abrogate an age-old practice.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the Government leave this matter to a free vote of the House?