§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total 1054W amount outstanding of loans made to authorities and persons in Southern Ireland out of the local loans fund, the development fund, the road improvement fund, or other similar public funds other than for the purposes of land purchase; and what provision is to be made for securing the repayment of such advances and interest thereon after the establishment of the Irish Free State?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn reply to the first part of the question I must point out to the hon. Member that he has given only 24 hours' notice of a question requiring the collection of somewhat formidable statistics, for which reference must necessarily be made to Ireland. If he really desires exact information on this point, I shall be happy to obtain it for him if he will give reasonable notice. In reply to the second part of the question, no doubt can arise as to the liability of the authorities and persons referred to, and I have full confidence that the Provisional and Free State Governments will co-operate in every possible way in securing the repayment of the advances and of the interest thereon.