HC Deb 02 May 1922 vol 153 cc1144-5
17. Mr. GWYNNE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position which Lord FitzAlan now holds in Ireland; is he still acting as Lord Lieutenant; and, if so, what are his duties and his powers?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

Yes, Sir, Lord FitzAIan is still Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. His duties and powers are as stated in the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the Noble Lord the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on the 13th February last.

Mr. GWYNNE

Are the Lord Lieutenant and his staff making any efforts to protect these loyalists who are being murdered every day?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

Surely the hon. Member knows that the position of the Lord Lieutenant in Ireland is very similar to that of a Governor-General in Australia or in Canada. He acts under the advice of his constitutional advisers, and he cannot act in any other way.

Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY

Cannot something be done to get back the Lord Lieutenant's motor car, which has been stolen by the Provisional Government?

Major Sir BERTRAM FALLE

As the right hon. Gentleman mentioned the Dominions, may I ask whether Ireland is not in the United Kingdom, and, as such, in a different position from the Dominions?

Sir JAMES REMNANT

Who are the constitutional advisers of the Lord Lieutenant?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

The Governments of Ireland.

Sir J. REMNANT

Which part?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

The two Irish Governments.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Is not Dail Eireann the Government of Ireland?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is an argument, and not a question.