41. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether the Irish Indemnity Bill will be introduced before the submission to the electorate of the Irish Free State of the majority and minority schemes for a Constitution now being proposed by Dail Eireann; and, if the answer is in the affirmative, can he give a date for the introduction of the Measure?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is hoped to introduce this Bill in the near future. I cannot at the moment give a definite date, but it will certainly be before the forthcoming election in Ireland.
Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYWill it be before the Executive Government have given their assent to the Irish Constitution, or will the House have an opportunity of discussing the Constitution before the Government give their assent?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis is not a question of the Constitution but of the Indemnity Bill. There is the Bill now going through Parliament, there is the Irish Indemnity Bill, and then there is a final Constitution Bill—three—and as far 1768 as the Indemnity Bill is concerned, it is independent of the other Measures put forward.