§ 2. Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the members of the Government, and of the Provisional Parliament, summoned for the 1st July, 1922, will he required to take the oath laid down in the Treaty?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Churchill)No, Sir. The Treaty prescribes the oath to be taken by Members of the Parliament of the Irish Free State, and not by Members of a Provisional Parliament.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill Ministers elected to the Provisional Parliament have to declare their approval of the terms of the Treaty?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. All Ministers of the Provisional Government are obliged, by Article 17 of the Treaty, to sign the declaration which is set out in that Article.
§ Viscount CURZONMay we understand that the Members of the Parliament which is summoned to meet on 1st July will not he required to take an oath of any description to anyone?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir, that is the position. That is in accordance with what the Treaty has prescribed. Only Ministers sign the declaration, until such time as the Free State Parliament is constituted, in which case the oath agreed upon in the Treaty comes into force.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAnd there will be no Republican oath taken either?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCertainly there will be no Republican oath administered.