§ 62. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Prime Minister, whether the proposals recently outlined by the First Lord of the Admiralty, for ten or twelve separate Parliaments in the United Kingdom, were made with, or have since received, his approval, and whether the Cabinet considered the alterations which such proposals would necessarily involve in the Government of Ireland Bill before deciding upon their Closure Resolution?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs has already been pointed out, my right hon. Friend specifically stated that he was speaking his own thoughts on the question, and, further, that he was only speaking in a "tentative and speculative" manner. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the question as to whether on a matter of such importance as that he agrees with the tentative thoughts of his colleague?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Gentleman wants to know my views on the matter I would refer him to the speech I made on the introduction of the Bill.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSAs the right hon. Gentleman apparently differs so entirely from the First Lord of the Admiralty has he asked for or received his resignation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member must draw his own conclusions.