§ 49. Mr. HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs stated that the Army could not be used for the coercion of Ulster until a General Election had occurred, he can say whether this decision has been reversed; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any action when the people of Ulster set up a Government of their own?
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask if the last paragraph of the question is in order?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe speech made by my right hon. Friend on the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, to which, I presume, the hon. Member refers, though his statement of it is incomplete and misleading, is on record, and has not in any way been modified. The latter part of the question is based on an hypothesis, and I am not called upon to reply to it.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my right hon. Friend aware that three different dates have been given for the setting up of the new Government?
§ Mr. HUNTAre we to understand that the Prime Minister does not know whether within a few weeks the Government will be responsible for law and order in Ireland? Will he say how much will be taken off the salaries of Ministers when a part of the United Kingdom is no longer under their jurisdiction?