§ 24. Colonel GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has seen an official leaflet issued to Irish voters by the election department of the Free State calling upon them to support the Treaty candidates on the ground that they can get a republic for all Ireland through the safe and short road of the Treaty; and will he call the attention of the Provisional Government to this violation of the terms of the Treaty with the British Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have not seen the leaflet referred to, but I am assured that no such leaflet has been issued by or with the authority of the Provisional Government.
§ Colonel GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consent to receive a copy of this leaflet?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI shall be very grateful to the hon. and gallant Gentleman if he will send it to me.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman approach the Provisional Government with a view to their repudiating this leaflet?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThey say that it has not been published by or with their authority.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman ask them to publicly repudiate it, as it has been issued broadcast?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think my answer in this House will perhaps be sufficient repudiation.
§ Mr. GWYNNEBut will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Provisional Government to repudiate it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are much too serious issues now between His Majesty's Government, and the Provisional Government for us to go off trying to make a serious question of whether they will or will not repudiate a particular leaflet which they say has been published without their authority.