HC Deb 09 April 1918 vol 104 cc1362-4
The PRIME MINISTER

Without delay. Meanwhile, we intend to invite Parliament to pass a measure for self-government in Ireland.

Mr. BYRNE

You can keep it!

The PRIME MINISTER

Let there be no misapprehension. Both questions will not hang together. Each must be taken, on its merits.

Mr. BYRNE

You can keep both!

The PRIME MINISTER

Well, if that be the view of Home Rule, it is a new view for Ireland.

Mr. BYRNE

Political tricksters!

The PRIME MINISTER

Whilst Great Britain is fighting for national rights in Europe — [An Hon. Member: "The Prime Minister is trampling on the rights of Irishmen!"] —with all her reserves of strength, she is prepared to concede the same rights in her own sphere of government. The Report of the remarkable Convention which has been held in Ireland, which has just brought its proceedings to a termination, affords the British Parliament another opportunity —

Mr. BYRNE

Of breaking their word!

The PRIME MINISTER

— of approaching this vexed question with more hope of success.

Mr. DEVLIN

May I interrupt the right hon. Gentleman? Will he read to the House of Commons the Declaration unanimously carried by that Convention, recommending a Report of a Sub-committee consisting of the Duke of Abercorn, Lord Dysart, and including the names of two soldier Nationalists, on Conscription?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have no doubt that if that is in the Report it will be available to-morrow. [Hon. Members: "Read it!"] I really must ask to be allowed to reply to the courteous question put to me. The Report will appear to-morrow. The Report of the Convention was laid upon the Table of the House to-day, and I hope it will be printed and circulated to-morrow.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will that Report, unanimously adopted by the Committee to which I have referred, and subsequently unanimously adopted by the Convention, be incorporated in the self-government proposals of the Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

That I do not know. I am sorry to say I have not had time to read the Report, which only arrived yesterday.

Mr. DEVLIN

May I press the right hon. Gentleman? [Hon. Members: "No!"] This has a very vital and an important bearing upon the discussion in which we are engaged. We are now discussing the question of the application of compulsory service to Ireland. I want to know whether, when the House of Commons is called upon to give a decision upon the question of the application of compulsory service to Ireland, the Report unanimously passed by the Committee and by the Convention will be presented to the House?

The PRIME MINISTER

My hon. Friend is asking me about a Report which I have not seen.

Mr. DEVLIN rose —

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member for West Belfast (Mr. Devlin) is not treating the Prime Minister fairly. The Prime Minister is in possession of the House, and is entitled to state his views. The hon. Member will have an opportunity of replying to him.

Mr. DEVLIN

On a point of Order. This is not a matter of petty controversy; this is a matter of the most vital importance to Ireland. [An HON. MEMBER: "That is not a point of Order !"] My point of Order is this —you need not try to howl me down, because I will not sit down. You may try-Prussian methods in Ireland, but you do not crush us here.

Mr. SPEAKER

As the hon. Member says he has a point of Order, will he address me upon that?

Mr. DEVLIN

Yes, Sir, with all respect to you, I do desire to address you. I want to know now, on a point of Order, whether I am entitled to move, 'That the House do report Progress" in dealing with a matter referring to Conscription in Ireland, until such time as the Report of the National Convention on Conscription and on Irish government is presented to the House of Commons?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member would be entitled to move the Adjournment of the Debate during the course of the Debate, at the conclusion of the Prime Minister's speech, but he certainly could not interpolate a Motion of that sort in the middle of the Prime Minister's speech.

The PRIME MINISTER

I was saying that this Convention had just terminated its labours. The Cabinet, of course, has not had time to consider that Report, because it has only just arrived. I understand that it reported by a majority, but I fear that the majority is not such as to justify the Government in saying that it. Represents "substantial agreement." That means that the Government must accept the responsibility of submitting to Parliament, with such guidance as the Convention's Report affords, such proposals for the establishment of self-government in Ireland —[An HON MEMBER: "As the Castle wishes:"] —as they think just and as can, in their judgment, be carried without violent controversy. [An HON.MEMBER: "Rasputin!"] We propose, therefore, at an early date to introduce such a measure into the House of Commons, and to invite the House to pass it into law with the least possible delay. When the young men of Ireland have been brought in large numbers in the fighting line —

Mr. BYRNE

Never!