21 AUGUST 1920, Page 3

In the House of Commons on Monday Mr. Lloyd George

emphasized the fact that he would be pleased at any time, subject to the conditions he had repeatedly laid down, to discuss the terms of an Irish- settlement " with any responsible body." " That will rule out Sinn Fein," interjected a member. " I should hope not," replied Mr. Lloyd George. " I should be very sorry if any conditions ruled out a majority of the Irish people." The conditions to which Mr. Lloyd George referred are that the Government will never consent to the secession of Ireland or any part of it from the United Kingdom, that the security of Great Britain must not be imperilled, and that the six counties of North-East Ulster shall receive separate treatment.