The debate on the adjournment came on after dinner. Mr.
Redmond promised the House a " dispassionate statement, leaving the facts to speak for themselves." The feature of the agree- ment was that the proposals should remain in force " for the duration of the war and for twelve months afterwards only." " Without that provision not one of my colleagues or myself would have con- sidered the proposals." Later it was agreed to keep the pro- visional settlement in force till Parliament had time permanently to settle the Home Rule question. " We never contemplated the idea that the great question of the exclusion of Ulster was to be foreclosed and settled now." Arfether fundamental point was that during this temporary settlement the number of 3risl 3dembere in the' Imperial Parliament should remain as before. The draft Bill had satisfied --those conditions. Then came -the start- ing news conveyed by Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Samuel on July 22nd, that two new points had been introduced into the Bill, one providing'? for the permanent exclusion of the six counties, and the other cutting out the provision for the retention of the Irish Members in full force at Westminster -during the temporary settlement.
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