HC Deb 02 June 1921 vol 142 cc1241-2
104. Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the prejudicial influence on the internal conditions of the British Dominions of the situation in Ireland, and in view of the desires of these Dominions for the bestowal of self-government on Ireland expressed in votes of their legislatures on many occasions, and in view of the suggestion in the speech of General Smuts that the Government might give the Dominions an opportunity of discussing the question, the Government are prepared to put the question of Irish self-government on the agenda of the coming conference of the Prime Ministers of the Empire?

Mr. WOOD

The agenda for the forth coming conference lies solely within the discretion of the conference itself, and, while the question of Ireland is, of course, technically a matter domestic to the United Kingdom, His Majesty's Government would certainly raise no objection, if the conference expressed the desire that it should be included.

Mr. HURD

Is not this the very last thing which the Dominion Premiers themselves would wish?

Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR

No, no. May I—

Mr. SPEAKER

This is not the time to argue the question.

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