§ Mr. RONALD McNEILL (by Private Notice)asked the Home Secretary, as acting Leader of the House, whether certain persons of American nationality have been given passports from Paris to Ireland for the purpose of unofficial political action; whether they have declared that their object is to confer with President de Valera for the purpose of securing international recognition of an Irish Republic at the Peace Conference; whether this object was known to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary when the passports were issued; whether these men are accredited by the American Government; if not, what are their credentials, and whom do they represent; whether it is the intention of the Prime Minister to receive these American gentleman on their return to Paris; and, if so, whether he has considered the effect likely to be produced in Ireland by foreign interference with the domestic affairs of another country and by his patronage of revolutionary propaganda?
§ Mr. SHORTTThis question was put into my hand just as I came into the House, and I regret to say I have not had time yet to make all the detailed and close inquiry necessary to answer it.
§ Mr. McNEILLWhen will any member of the Government be in a position to deal with an important matter of this kind in the House?
§ Mr. SHORTTIt will take about a week to make the necessary inquiries.
§ Mr. DEVLINHow long will the Peace Conference last?