§ 33. Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister if he will take such steps as may be necessary, before the Adjournment on Wednesday, to secure that, in the event of a republic being proclaimed in the 29 counties of Southern Ireland, this House shall not re-assemble on the 26th instant, but on the earliest possible day?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThis is a hypothetical question, to which I think it undesirable to give an answer. It is a question as to what might take place—as to a hypothesis which, I hope, will never be realised.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYIt is a hypothesis that may materialise. Surely if a republic be declared in these islands, this House ought to assemble at once?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not certain that that follows, but I deprecate having to deal with a hypothesis which, as I have said, I hope will not be realised.
§ 34. Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister if the pledge of the Government not to recognise a republic in Southern Ireland still holds good; and if he can inform the House what instructions have been given to the general officer commanding the troops now stationed in the 29 counties as to the action, if any, he is to take in the event of a republic being proclaimed in Southern Ireland?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Churchill)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The second part is in part hypothetical, and in part relates to a matter regarding which it is obvious that no public announcement could be made.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYAre we to understand from that that the Government mean, in such an event, to take some decisive action, and not to content themselves with useless representations?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf a situation of an extraordinary character arises with great suddenness, the Government must be relied upon to deal with it, and the House will be the judges of the manner in which they do deal with it.