Mr. Lloyd George went on to state in the - most
explicit terms that no party would be pledged beforehand to certain definite conclusions, and that no proposal from any side to better the government of Ireland could be shut out from dis- cussion under the terms of reference. Complete agreement could not be expected, but if substantial agreement were reached the Government would accept the responsibility for taking all the necessary steps to enable the Imperial Parliament to give legislative effect to the conclusions of the Convention. The Prime, Minister added that the Convention must be held with closed doors to give it a reasonable chance of success. No pulali- ea tion, authorized or unauthorized, of its proceedings ought to- take place till the conclusions were arrived at. There would be so undue delay-on the part of the Government in taking the neces- sary step% for a settlement, in their judgment, would materially help the successful conclusion of the war.
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