§ 45. Mr. Beattieasked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to amend the Government of Ireland Act. 1920, under which the Northern Ireland Parliament has delegated authority for the administration of justice.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)No, Sir. Her Majesty's Government do not propose to amend the Government of Northern Ireland Act, 1920, at the present time.
§ Mr. BeattieIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's experience in 1912 of the intolerance shown to him in Belfast—[An HON. MEMBER: The hon. Member is reading it.] I have it off by heart. In view of the intolerance shown to the Prime Minister in 1912 will he give a guarantee that at the forthcoming elections for the Parliament of Northern Ireland candidates who oppose the Unionist policy will be safeguarded against the violence which operated against him on that visit when he was at Belfast?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to my answer. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I would point out, in view of the answer, that if, as seems to be the case, the administration of justice is transferred to Northern Ireland, we cannot comment on it here.
§ Mr. BeattieWith your permission and kindness, Mr. Speaker, I would put a supplementary question on these lines: is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to nominate a committee composed of hon. Members of this House to go to Northern Ireland during the elections as observers and to see that fair play and justice is accorded to all candidates opposing the Unionist policy?
§ The Prime MinisterI must have notice of that.
§ Sir D. SavorySurely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the administration of justice in Northern Ireland is above all reproach?
§ Mr. SpeakerWe cannot discuss it here.