§ 47. Mr. CADOGANasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to an announcement made by Mr. Donal Buckley to the effect that he wishes to be known not as Governor-General of Southern Ireland but as seneschal; and whether, in view of the terms of the agreement with the Irish Free State, he has made representations to the Government of Southern Ireland with a view to ascertaining whether there is any material significance in the altered designation of the Governor-General's office?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)I understand that the term "seneschal" in the Irish spelling has been used since the establishment of the Irish Free State as the Irish translation of Governor-General, and, so far as I am aware, no alteration has been made in this position.
§ Mr. CADOGANWill the right hon. Gentleman give a definition of "seneschal" in his own language?
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the definitions is "a military commander 1233 invested with judicial power"? Does he not think that perhaps the gentleman referred to is rather overstating the importance of his office?