3 MAY 1924, Page 2

Sir W. Davison inquired whether it was not a fact

that the boundary was definitely fixed by the Act of 1920. " How," he asked, " can a statutory provision of that kind be set aside by any agreement to which Northern Ireland is not a party ? " Mr. Thomas replied that Mr. Baldwin, when he was Prime Minister, had been asked an exactly similar question, and his answer was that the Government were " bound by the Irish Free State Act." Sir W. Davison again asked whether the Act of 1920 which definitely fixed the boundaries of Northern Ireland was of no effect. Commander Ken- worthy, then asked whether special legislation would not be required to set up the Commission, whereupon Mr. Thomas exclaimed, " All manner of foolish statements have been made. I content myself with saying that the Government will take all necessary steps to give effect to the letter and spirit of the Treaty."

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