§ 46. Mr. T. Reidasked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that any country which leaves the Empire, thus becoming a foreign country, will not automatically have its defence shared by Great Britain, and that the Governments of the Commonwealth and Empire will be consulted before any decisions regarding the security of such foreign countries are made.
§ The Prime MinisterAny proposal to share defence responsibilities in a case of this kind must obviously be a matter for negotiation and treaty with the Govern- 941 ment concerned. In the event of such a situation arising, the normal procedure as regards consultation with other countries of the Commonwealth would be followed.
§ Sir Ronald RossIs there any Treaty as regards the defence of Eire, or is it regarded as part of the Empire?
§ The Prime MinisterI would like notice of that question.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteHas the Prime Minister any reason to regard the original Question as other than purely hypothetical?