§ Mr. AMERYasked the Prime Minister whether there is any provision in the Government of Ireland Bill which will secure the maintenance of English as the sole official language in the proposed Irish Parliament, in the Irish Law Courts, and in the public service generally, or prevent the imposition of tests disqualifying existing officials or candidates for official positions on the ground of ignorance of the Gaelic language?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)No, Sir. There is no such provision in the Bill, nor in our opinion is any necessary.
§ Mr. MOOREHaving regard to the fact that ignorance of the Irish language will be used as the first excuse for retrenching every Parliament official under the new Government, will the Prime Minister consider the advisability of putting a safeguard in the Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo safeguard is necessary.
Mr. W. REDMONDMay I ask whether a great many Protestants in Ireland speak Irish, and that the President of the Gaelic League is himself a distinguished Protestant?