HC Deb 27 February 1922 vol 151 cc20-3
Sir D. MACLEAN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement in regard to the position in Ireland?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think it may be convenient to make a full statement in regard to the position in Ireland. Last week it was very difficult to tell from the reports which appeared in the newspapers and from those which we had received what had actually happened at the meeting of the Sinn Fein party in Dublin on Wednesday last. We therefore thought it better to invite the Irish signatories to the Treaty and Irish Ministers to come over here and discuss the position with us, and, in the meanwhile, to defer any statement. Mr. Griffith, Mr. Duggan and the legal adviser of the Irish Provisional Government, Mr. Kennedy, accordingly came here on Friday night, and a series of conferences has taken place.

The result of these conferences has been both satisfactory and reassuring.

Sir F. BANBURY

To whom?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The Irish Ministers have in no respect receded from the Treaty or weakened in their determination to carry it through in its integrity. Their opposition to the Republican party continues unabated. At the meeting of the Sinn Fein representatives, however, a very strong demand was put forward that the Irish people should have the Constitution before them as well as the Treaty when they are called upon to give their votes at the election. To this demand the Irish Provisional Government has deferred.

Their opponents have, I understand, promised that, in these circumstances, the election shall be facilitated and that the Provisional Government shall not be hampered either by the Dail or by the supporters of Mr. de Valera in the interval.

The result of this agreement will be to delay the election for six or seven weeks, and it is now expected to take place in the early part of June instead of in April. There is nothing in this change which affects the position of the British Government or which touches the Treaty in any way. All that is needed is a simple Amendment in the Bill before the House providing that instead of the election taking place as soon as may be, it shall take place within four months. In the meantime a technical committee appointed by the Provisional Government is understood to be at work in Ireland upon the Constitution. The Constitution will be framed in Ireland. The Constitution will be submitted to the Irish people by and with the authority of the Provisional Government, and not by and with the authority of the Dail Eireann. The Provisional Government recognise that they will have to take steps to satisfy themselves that the Constitution so framed is of a character that the British Government can accept as fulfilling the Treaty.

Both sides are now engaged in preparing their electoral and party machinery for any appeal to the Irish electorate. It is believed that the method which has now been adopted will enable that appeal to be conducted by constitutional methods, and will reduce intimidation to a minimum.

In these circumstances there is clearly no reason whatever for any change in the policy we are pursuing here. The evacuation of the British troops will continue stage by stage, and the Debate on the Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill will be resumed at the earliest convenient moment. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House is prepared to assign Thursday and Friday to these discussions.

Sir F. BANBURY

Are we to understand that the Government have abandoned the position that the Treaty cannot be altered?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir; there will be no question of any alteration of the provisions of the Treaty except by agreement on both sides.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the House to understand that the Irish Constitution is to be drafted by Dail Eireann, which is a Republican assembly?

Mr. CHURCHILL

As far as it is possible to use the English language as a vehicle for thought, I have endeavoured to assure my hon. Friend that that is not the case.

Lieut-Colonel A. MURRAY

Will an opportunity be given to the House of discussing the newly drafted Constitution before the Government gives its assent to it?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House)

No, Sir. The Constitution will come before the House, as was explained by my right hon. Friend, when the final Bill dealing with these matters is introduced into this House. That will be the time for it to be discussed.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how it will be possible for this House to express its opinion on the Constitution drafted by the Irish Government before the Irish elections are held?

Sir W. DAVISON

Do I understand the Dail Eireann is not to meet during the next six or eight weeks, as has been confidentially stated by statements in the Press?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not know anything about that.

Sir J. BUTCHER

In view of what occurred in the Ard Fheis on the 22nd instant in Dublin, and the grave position which has thereby arisen, will the right hon. Gentleman suspend the withdrawal of troops from Southern Ireland and the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have dealt with that in the general statement which I have made to the House.