43. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether the Assembly which was recently elected in the South of Ireland to serve either as the third Dail of the Irish Republic or as the House of the Parliament of Southern Ireland is considered by His Majesty's Government as being in any way bound by the Clauses and Schedule of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act; and, if it is not so bound, what authority will the Crown possess in that part of Ireland over which the elections have been held during the lifetime of the recently elected Assembly?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe House of Parliament which has recently been elected is the House of Parliament referred to in Section 1 (2) of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act and its powers are such as are defined in that Act. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt never had any existence so far as this country is concerned.
78. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has been able to ascertain if those who were successful at the recent General Election in the Irish Free State were returned as constituting the House of the Parliament to which the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State is responsible, in accordance with the terms of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act, or as members of the third Dail of the Irish Republic?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe House of Parliament constituted as a result of the recent general election in Ireland is the 20 House of Parliament referred to, and is constituted in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 (3) of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member desires further information as to the state of mind of individual members of that House, I regret that I cannot enlighten him on this point.