§ 46. Professor Savoryasked the Prime Minister whether he will consult the Government of Northern Ireland, which was a party to the Tripartite Agreement of 1925, before foregoing the claim to the £155 million which is now payable by the Eireann Government, since they have broken the terms under which the debt was conditionally forgiven, that is, the acceptance by the Free State of Article 1 of the Agreement recognising the existing boundary between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Professor SavoryDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that Eire has now definitely repudiated Article 1 of the Agreement of 1925, under which they recognised the existing boundary between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland? How can they expect to benefit by Article 2 of the same Agreement, under which they were released, in accordance with the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor as Prime Minister in this House, from a liability of £155 million, which they had undertaken under Clause 5 of the Treaty of 1921?
§ The Prime MinisterI am afraid that I cannot answer for what another Government may expect.
§ Professor SavoryI could not hear the right hon. Gentleman's reply.
§ Sir R. RossDoes the Prime Minister consider that where there is an agreement one side is still bound by it if the other repudiates the agreement?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a matter for consideration.