51. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister whether any pledge was given by the Government in connection with the negotiations which led up to the Treaty with Ireland that no alteration should be made in the boundaries of Ulster, as fixed under the Government of Ireland Act of 1920, except with the consent of Ulster?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative. The boundaries fixed by the Act of 1920 were not themselves the result of such an agreement, though they were subsequently accepted, very reluctantly, I believe, by the representatives of Ulster. Our reasons for re-opening the question were stated in Debate.
Sir F. HALLThat will not affect any question of giving the necessary assistance to Ulster in the event of a satisfactory conclusion not being arrived at with regard to the boundaries.