§ 49. Mr. JELLETTasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a statement made by Mr. Michael Collins, in the course of his speech in the Dail Eireann on the 19th December, 1921, that in his opinion the Treaty gave Ireland freedom, not the ultimate freedom that all nations hoped for and struggled for, but freedom to achieve that end; and whether, in view of this statement and other similar state- 1196 ments made by him, and by many of those who voted for ratification, he proposes to proceed with the Treaty as a final settlement?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not prepared to interpret statements made in the course of controversial Debate on the other side of the water on the subject of the Treaty. The position of His Majesty's Government in this matter is clear. We take our stand on the Treaty, and will proceed in full reliance on the determination of our Irish co-signatories to do the same.
§ Mr. JELLETTCan the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he proposes to take in the event of the views indicated by Mr. Collins being carried out?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis question is the subject of a Debate to-day.