Mr. Redmond followed Mr. Balfour. On the main question on
which the Government had been returned—the abolition of the Lords' veto—he and his party were in whole-hearted agreement with the Liberals. He now adjured the Prime Minister, who enjoyed a majority of one hundred and twenty- four on this particular point, to do nothing to weaken his mandate. The Irish Nationalists were willing to accept the Budget if the Government fulfilled their pledges. But it was not yet clear that the Government would do so. What would happen when the Resolutions on the relations of the two Houses were held up or rejected by the Lords P If Mr. Asquith intended in that event to ask for an exercise of the Royal prerogative, why could he not clearly say so ? Again, if guarantees from the Crown were asked for and refused, did Mr. Asquith intend to remain in power ? If satisfactory answers were given to these questions, and if meanwhile the Government would suspend the Budget, he would be quite satisfied. But if satisfactory answers were not given, his party would vote against the Motion.
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