Clause 1. — (Constitution of Irish Free State.)

Part of Irish Free State Constitutionbill. – in the House of Commons at on 28 November 1922.

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Photo of Mr George Balfour Mr George Balfour , Hampstead

It must be clear to everyone present that the Constitution Act passed by the Provisional Government bristles with difficulties. I only rise because we have been told from the Front Bench, and it has been repeated on several occasions, that it is quite impossible to propose a single Amendment because it has been adopted by the Provisional Government. I rise for one simple thing, to associate myself wholeheartedly with the protest which has come from these Benches against being nut in this position. It is only fair to say that, while we make that protest, we realise the difficulty in which the new Parliament has been put by being compelled to pass through some measure to bring some kind of settlement to Ireland in this hurried fashion. We feel bound to make our protest with no desire to hamper or hinder the Government in any way, but I feel in my own mind satisfied that grave difficulties are going to arise in the future through the hurried manner in which this Constitution Bill is being put through the House, which will re-act against the liberty of British subjects who are resident in Ireland. As far as I have been able to study-it there are a dozen different directions in which this Act will operate quite differently from what I believe was intended by His Majesty's Ministers. With that protest I content myself, and I only hope our fears are unfounded and that this Constitution will operate as the Government expect.