58. Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESSasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that arrangements are now being made to set up the new Irish Parliaments; and whether he will take steps to withhold the necessary orders for summoning a Parliament in Southern Ireland until the country is in a. more peaceful condition?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask if the question is put as a result of conferences between the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Lieut.-Colonel Guinness) and Dail Eireann?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that, may I ask whether he is aware that the point of our questions about the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) is not whether he is a conscious or unconscious tool of Michael Collins, but the fact that Michael Collins has published a letter showing he 2046 welcomes and values the help which the hon. and gallant Member has given him for weeks past by asking questions in this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think I had better keep out of this, otherwise I might get a bullet from gunmen on both sides. Representations have come from Ireland in regard to this matter. The Government have these representations under consideration, and if my hon. and gallant Friend will put a question to-night on the Motion for the Adjournment I hope I shall be able to give him an answer.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSMay I ask whether, if the Government come to the decision to go on with the election for the South of Ireland Parliament, he will give an opportunity to the House to discuss the matter before the Orders in Council are issued to make irrevocable the summoning of the Parliament for that area?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not like to give an answer with regard to the business of the House in the absence of the Leader of the House, but I think it is desirable, if there is a decision of that kind, that the House should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion. There is one way which could be taken, and that is by putting down Irish Estimates next week, which would be in time. However, all I can say at present is, that I think my hon. Friend is right in assuming that the House of Commons ought to have an opportunity of expressing an opinion if the Government decide not to postpone it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBefore the Government come to a decision on this very important question, will they reflect on the disastrous consequences of scrapping another Government of Ireland Act?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere will be no scrapping of the Government of Ireland Act.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has consulted the leader of the Activist party in the Dail Eireann, namely, Mr. Michael Collins, and, if not, will he use the good offices of the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know who the Activist members are; per- 2047 haps the hon. and gallant Member, who knows better than I do, will be able to supply me with the information.