§ 36. Mr. ESMOND HARMSWORTHasked the Prime Minister whether the Government of the Irish Free State will have the power of choice between flying the Sinn Fein flag and the Union Jack, the national flag of both Great Britain and the Dominions; and whether, if they have that power, this House will have any power over the decision that is come to?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have nothing to add to the answers already given to similar questions addressed to my right hon. Friend and to myself.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHWill the right hon. Gentleman give an answer to the last part of the question, whether this House has any power over a decision come to in the Irish Free State on the question of the flag?
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say that persons in Ireland who desire to fly the Union Jack will not be persecuted, as at present?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe statement which was made by both the Prime Minister and myself the other day was that, in the case of each Dominion, the Dominion itself settled what the Dominion flag should be, and we proposed to follow that course in regard to the Irish case. For myself it seems to me that, in view of the acceptance of an agreement of friendship and amity, the spirit in which it works is of much more importance than the actual symbol.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEIn view of the immense importance of what has been described as a symbol, can my right hon. Friend say whether this question was ever brought up at all during the negotiations, and why it does not find some part in the Agreement?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question was answered last week.