HL Deb 13 July 1922 vol 51 cc426-7

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

My Lords, this is a Money Bill, the object of which is to provide the Government of Northern Ireland with a sum calculated to produce £3,500,000, charging it to the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, in respect of loans which may be required for public purposes—it may be for unemployment relief, for housing; in short, it is a fund corresponding to the local loans fund which exists in this county. The terms of the Bill are drawn sufficiently widely to enable that Government to cover borrowing for the general purposes of the Northern Irish Government, so that emergencies now unforeseen can be met. The amount named in the Bill is fixed after consultation with the Northern Irish Government, and that Government has already passed an Act to satisfy the conditions laid down in the Bill now before your Lordships. I beg to move that the Bill be read a second time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Crawford)

LORD CARSON

My Lords, I do not rise to offer the least opposition to this Bill, but I want to ask when it is proposed to bring in legislation with reference to the whole question of the financial provisions relating to the Northern Ireland Government, having regard to the necessary changes that have occurred owing to the new policy of setting up the other Parliament.

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

I am very sorry that I cannot answer that important question off-hand.

LORD CARSON

It is a very pressing matter. Perhaps the noble Earl will allow me to explain what I mean. Under the Act of 1920, which set up two Parliaments in the North and South of Ireland, the Revenue was collected by this country, and it was apportioned to the Parliaments set up by that Act in North and South on certain conditions and in certain proportions that are mentioned in the Act. This is at an end now, the Revenues are not allocated in that way under the Treaty, and consequently the whole basis of the Act of 1920, as far as Ulster is concerned, falls to the ground.

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

I quite appreciate the point, but I am afraid I am not in a position to give a reply now. Perhaps the noble and learned Lord would put the question down for one day next week, and I will give him as clear an answer as is possible in the circumstances.

On Question, Bill read 2a. Committee negatived.