§ 49. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the proposal to amend the Irish Free State Constitution Act by removing 1754 the guarantee of the right of appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)I have been asked to reply to this question. I am not prepared at this stage to indicate the attitude which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom might find it necessary to adopt in relation to projected legislation of the provisions of which they are not at present aware.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right of appeal to the Privy Council is one of the fundamental conditions under the Anglo-Irish Treaty for the protection of the Southern Irish Loyalists, and can he not assure the House that nothing will be done by the British Government to do away with that safeguard?
§ Mr. THOMASI am not only aware of it, but I have made quite clear, publicly and privately, the importance of the right of appeal. But the question put to me is, What action the Government propose to take, and my answer is that it would be unwise to announce any action when the legislation is not even before us.