§ 33. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangement has been made between the British Government and the Government of the Irish Free State to take back British coins at present in circulation in the Irish Free State at their face value; what proposals have been made by the Free State Government on the matter; and what is the estimated loss to the British Exchequer, having regard to the intrinsic value of the coins in question and to the profit which would be made were such coins to be minted by the Royal Mint?
§ 37 Colonel GRETTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if payment was made by the Irish Free State for the British coinage hitherto used in the Free State; and, if so, what was the amount of payment;
(2) what amount of coinage in face value will be returned to the Treasury by the Irish Free State Government; and what sum in sterling value has been agreed to be paid by the British Government to the Irish Free State?
§ 40. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to take back British coins in circulation in the Irish Free State at their face value or at their worth as bullion?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)This question is under discussion with His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State and I expect to be able to make a statement upon the subject before the end of February.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say why there is always this tremendous delay in getting information about any matters which are under discussion with the Free State when we can get prompt information in regard to matters relating to New Zealand, Australia, and other Dominions?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is a question of co-ordination of answers between the two Parliaments.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind in the negotiations which are proceeding that a substantial profit of £600,000 is to be made if these coins were minted in the Royal Mint, and that he has informed the House that there is not sufficient money to pay in full the claims awarded by a British Commission to Irish Loyalists for personal injury and loss of property?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOdd as it may seem, all these considerations will be borne in mind.
§ Colonel GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of Question 37?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that point is covered by my answer.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we to understand that the Mint makes a profit as suggested by the hon. Member for Kensington South (Sir W. Davison).
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI should like to have notice of that question.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer take into consideration the judgment in the Wigg and Cochrane case?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAll questions which are relevant will be taken into consideration, but that is only remotely relevant to the subject on the Paper.