3 MAY 1924, Page 2

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr. J. H.

Thomas, in answer to a question by Mr. Baldwin on the Irish Boundary, reminded the House that his predecessor had received a request from the Irish Free State last July for the constitution of the Boundary Commission under Article 12 of the Treaty. The Government of that day, holding that the dispute ought to be settled if possible by agreement between the Free State and Northern Ireland, summoned a conference of both Governments in London. Because of the Imperial Conference and the General Election, the conference was unavoidably delayed, and the present Government on January 23rd, " finding itself in agreement with the views of the previous Government," brought about the proposed conference on February 1st. The conference, having met on various occasions, had just broken down without result. The " utmost good will " had been shown on both sides, but it now remained for the boundary to be " determined in accordance with Article 12 of the Treaty." *