§ Brigadier-General COLVINasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any other Government than that of the Free State will be permitted in Southern Ireland; and what steps the Government propose to take should the Irish electorate declare for a Republic?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLHis Majesty's Government have already made it abundantly clear that, in their opinion, the Treaty represents the utmost limit to which any Government could go in endeavouring to meet the aspirations of the Irish people, and I have nothing to add to what has already been said on this point. The second part of the question is hypothetical, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that, should the contingency to which he refers arise. His Majesty's Government will not be found entirely without resources.