§ Mr. REMERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution, if any, has been made to the British National Debt by the Irish Free State as provided for in the Irish Treaty; if he is aware that the Irish Free State are redeeming in cash the republican bonds issued by Mr. de Valera in Ireland and the United States: and if he has any information that the obligations under the Irish Treaty should have priority over the republican bonds?
Mr. THOMASAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on the 13th May. In regard to the second part, I am aware that the Irish Free State Government has taken power to issue certificates in exchange for the bonds floated by the Dail Eireann prior to the Treaty of 1921. The obligations under Article 5 of the Treaty are at present indeterminate, and the question of priority remains unaffected.