§ EARL BUXTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the noble and learned Viscount on the Woolsack the Question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether he has any statement to make to the House in regard to Ireland.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT BIRKENHEAD)My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl for having asked me the Question of which he has been good enough to give me private notice. The events which took place yesterday at the meeting of the Sinn Fein body in Dublin will have been noted by your Lordships. The implications of the decision there taken are a little difficult to appreciate clearly in this country, and I should be unwilling to commit myself prematurely to an expression of opinion as to what the result is. But the Irish Ministers representing the Provisional Government have been invited to come to this country during 200 the week end in order that discussions may take place between them and the representatives of His Majesty's Government as to the effect of the decision reached yesterday in the Sinn Fem body.
So far as the Government are concerned, and subject always to those discussions our position is, of course, precisely the same—that we stand by the Treaty, and we do not at present understand that the decision which has been taken is adverse to that view. If either the noble Earl or any other noble Lord, would be good enough to put down a Question next week, when the discussions I have indicated have taken place, I shall, no doubt, be in a position to give full information.