HC Deb 16 July 1919 vol 118 cc373-4
47. Lieut.-Colonel MALONE

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for a referendum in Ireland with a vow to obtaining the opinion of the Irish nation on the alternative forms of government, namely, Dominion Home Rule, constitution as a federal unit of the British Isles, or government by Army of Occupation?

Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)

The Government is not prepared to adopt the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.

Lieut.-Colonel MALONE

Are we to assume that government by Army of Occupation is to be continued?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No; but I do not think that this form of referendum would fill the whole bill. I think that we would be asked also to submit the question whether Ireland is to be a republic.

Mr. BILLING

Are we right in understanding that Ireland is governed by an Army of Occupation?

Mr. BONAR LAW

If my hon. Friend understood that he would be wrong.

Mr. ARCHDALE

Is not the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman a bad advertisement for Pelmanism, of which he is such a shining light?

Mr. DEVLIN

In conformity with the declared principle for which this country in common with the other countries went to war, namely, on the question of the right of all countries to determine their own destinies, is Ireland, in the spirit of that declaration on which you based your war policy, to be allowed the right to determine her own war policy?

Mr. BONAR LAW

There is a little difference of opinion as to the interpretation of self-determination.

Mr. DEVLIN

I have mine. Will the right hon. Gentleman give his?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am quite ready, but I think that it would require more time than is available in answering questions.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow us a day on which to discuss the question of the definition of self-determination, and, considering that this country went to war to establish the principle of self-determination, is that principle not to be applied only in the case of Ireland, which is controlled by this House and this Government?

Brigadier-General CROFT

Is that principle also to apply to Ulster?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think that on these two questions I cannot add anything to what I have said.

Lieut.-Colonel MALONE

Did not the Chief Secretary a. short time ago, in replying to a question, declare that Ireland was governed by an Army of Occupation?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not think that he put the statement in that form.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer to the reply of the Chief Secretary, when he said distinctly that Ireland was governed by an Army of Occupation—which was about one of the most truthful statements that ever came from those benches?

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