asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to a difference of about £11 between the British Inland Revenue authorities and ex-Head Constable M. Kennedy, Royal Irish Constabulary, as to the amount of Income Tax payable by the latter on his pay for the year 1920–21, the Inspector-General Royal Irish Constabulary and the Paymaster-General have refused to pay M. Kennedy any part of the pension due to him for the last 15 months, amounting to £277 6s. 8d.; whether he can state what justification exists for withholding this sum of £277 6s. 8d. to answer a disputed claim for about £11; and whether, in view of the hardship on M. Kennedy by this withholding of his pension, he will give directions to put this matter right without delay?

Inquiry is being made in the case referred to by my hon. and learned Friend, and I shall communicate the result to him as soon as possible.

In view of the fact that the whole of this £277 is being withheld from this man in order to answer a disputed claim of £11, will the right hon. Gentleman accelerate his inquiry as much as possible?

I shall be glad to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that the Restoration of Order (Ireland) Act should become a permanent part of the statute law of the country or, if not, when its operation will cease?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the second must depend on the progress of affairs in Ireland.

Has the right hon. Gentleman observed that the Secretary for Scotland, speaking in another place, intimated or inferred that this was a necessary part of the Government machinery—a permanent part?

I do not know what he said, but he cannot have said "permanent."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts due by the Free State Government to the Imperial Exchequer for the financial year ending 31st March last in respect of the contribution to Imperial services under the terms of the Treaty and in respect of Excise duty collected in Southern Ireland, respectively; when he expects that these amounts respectively will be paid; and whether any adjustment is due on account of Customs collected in Southern Ireland?

No agreement has yet been reached with the Irish Free State Government as to the amount payable by that Government for Imperial services under Article 5 of the Treaty. As regards the second part of the question, the revenue accounts for 1922–23 are not yet finally complete, but the estimated amount due to the Imperial Exchequer in respect of Excise duty collected in the Irish Free State during the year is £7,900,000, while it is expected that £4,900,000 will be due from the Imperial Exchequer to the Irish Free State on account of Customs duties collected in Great Britain, a net balance of £3,000,000 on Customs and Excise together being thus due from the Irish Free State to the Imperial Exchequer. A payment on account of £1,250,000 has been made by the Irish Free State. The balance will probably be adjusted shortly.