The form in which Lord Birkenhead cast his speech made
the pledge specially emphatic and conclusive. He began by saying that though it would be wrong for an individual Minister to anticipate the responsibility of the Cabinet, it might serve some useful purpose if he reminded the House of some matters " which are not in controversy." He then went on. to recall that in 1916 Mr. Asquith had said that Ulster, or " a substantial part of it "- that is to say, North-East Ulster—could not be brought into a Home Rule Bill without its consent. The present Prime Minister, Lord Birkenhead proceeded, " almost verbally repeated the assurance of the Asquith Government," and he added : " It is not, and will not be, any portion of our policy to sacrifice those who have been friends with this country for those who to-day are taking part againtt it." Finally, Lord Birkenhead said that if a National Parliament were set up in Ireland and Ulster were invited to come into it, " Ulster would say with one accord : ` No, we won't, and we hold your promise that consent shall not be imposed upon us by force."
