THE SECRETARYOF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS CURZONSOF KEDLESTON)My Lords, when, on Friday last, I suggested that your Lordships should adjourn until to-day, it was with the expectation that in the interval a decision would have been arrived at in the parliament that is sitting in Dublin with regard to the Agreement that was discussed by your Lordships last week. It appears from our latest information that those expectations are not likely to be realized, at any rate for the moment, and that the discussions in Dublin may go on for some days, and, in fact, may not even conclude until the eve of Chritmas. In these circumstances it has seemed to the government that it is hardly fair to ask your Lordships, particularly at this season of the year, to remain in London, or to suggest to parliament that it should adjourn from day to day. We have, therefore, decided to recommend that Parliament should be prorogued. On the other hand, if any situation arises in the near future demanding the summoning of Parliament we shall not hesitate to take the requisite action.
§ VISCOUNT CHAPLINMy Lords, I took no part whatever in the debate last week, because I was physically unable to do so, but on the last occasion in this House when there was a discussion as to whether it should be prorogued or not, I expressed a very strong opinion that it would be wiser and better to adjourn than to prorogue. I took that view because I thought Ireland at that moment was perhaps in a more critical position than it had ever been in our time. To-day, especially as it appears quite possible, that the Treaty submitted to them by the Government and agreed to by both Houses of Parliament may now be rejected, what is going to be the course? The noble Marquess has told us that Parliament is to be prorogued. I should have thought, in all the circumstances, that perhaps a short adjournment would have been the 220 wiser course to take, but it must be for the Government, and the Government alone, to decide. It seems to me, however, that we are placed in a more extraordinary position probably than Parliament has ever been placed in. Having regard to the critical situation and the state of affairs with regard to the Treaty in Dublin at the present time, I adhere to the view which I expressed on a former occasion that an adjournment, however short, would be wiser than prorogation.
§ LORD SOUTHWARKMy Lords, I very much sympathise with the observations that have just fallen from the noble Viscount, Lord Chaplin. I have expressed similar views myself. I think that until a decision is come to in Dublin it would be much better for Parliament to adjourn from day to day rather than to prorogue. No one can tell what may happen, and I cannot help thinking that something might arise that would make it very undesirable that neither House should be sitting and that there should be no opportunity of asking for information or expressing any views. It may be too late to carry out the wishes of the noble Viscount, but I thought I must express my concurrence with the views to which he has given expression.
§ VISCOUNT HALDANEMy Lords, I did not intend to say anything on this occasion, but I feel I must rise to say that I entirely agree with the Government in the course they are taking. The more quietly this situation is accepted the better. No good purpose can be served by our fussing over it. Parliament can be called back in about five days, if it is necessary to call it together, but speaking for myself, I think the greater probability is that it will not be necessary to take any action unless it be—and I hope there will not be anything of the kind—action of an executive kind. Anyhow, I see no reason why we should not prorogue now. Five days will be quite a short enough period to enable us to come together again if necessary. In the meantime, I think the more quietly the situation is taken the better.