§ 45. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will say when, where, and how Irish Members of Parliament are to be afforded an opportunity of considering with any effect Irish Transfer Orders in Council under Section 47 of the Government of Ireland Bill, which Orders are to have the force of the Act itself; and, seeing that they will affect Ireland chiefly, if he will afford Irish representatives this opportunity by submitting the Orders provisionally within the present Session?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 48 of the Bill which provides for the Orders in Council being laid before Parliament and for the Orders being annulled on address from Parliament. As to the second part of the question, the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe right hon. Gentleman has not said how the Irish Members are going to have an opportunity of considering these Orders since the Irish Members, on the theory of the Bill, are not to be here then?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Irish Members will have no difficulty whatever in considering them.
§ Mr. GINNELLHow?
§ 46. Mr. JAMES HOPEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 1357 whether any Orders have been issued, are likely to be issued, or will be issued for the coercion of Ulster by the forces of the Crown?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe policy of the Government in this matter was clearly explained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his speech on Tuesday last.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he would be able to give me a more specific reply if I inserted the word "immediate" before the word "coercion"?
§ Mr. EVELYN CECILHave the Government changed their policy between the delivery of Lord Haldane's speech and its publication?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. When read with the context, I think it is quite clear that what my Noble Friend said in another place did not differ from the policy of the Government as stated in this House.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPECan the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as amended?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Member puts his amended question on paper.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEMay I ask whether the hon. Member for Sheffield would be likely to get the information he requires from the Moderator of the General Assembly?