§ Lord ROBERT CECILI beg to ask the Prime Minister a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether the suggestion made by the First Lord of the Admiralty was made with the authority of the Government and whether it was intended to indicate that the Government would consider favourably the exclusion of Ulster from the operation of the Government of Ireland Bill upon certain conditions, and, if so, what exactly those conditions were?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend's proposal was made, as he clearly stated, on his own account, and not upon the authority of the Cabinet.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSArising out of that answer, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he thinks it a desirable practice in matters of such vital importance for Cabinet Ministers of high position to make a proposal of this kind without the assent of the Cabinet?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, the circumstances are very exceptional, and I think that anybody who can contribute to a pacific solution is entitled to do so.
§ Lord ROBERT CECIL and Mr. STANLEY WILSON rose simultaneously—
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDOn a point of Order. May I ask you, with great respect, whether it is in order and whether it is consistent with the dignity and freedom of this House, that one hon. Member should violently pull another hon. Member down?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not see the pressure applied to the coat-tail.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILPerhaps you will allow me to explain, for the benefit of hon. Members who did not hear, that you had already called upon me. I desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the suggestion of the First Lord of the Admiralty has the approval of the Government, even if it had not got the authority of the Cabinet?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that my right hon. Friend meant to invite, particularly from the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for the University of Dublin (Sir E. Carson), an offer in the spirit indicated, and so far as that goes I am heartily in sympathy with him.