Oral Answers to Questions — China. – in the House of Commons at on 24 May 1937.
Mr William Lunn
, Rothwell
asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make as to the relations between this country and the Irish Free State?
The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Marquess of Harting-ton):
A Bill containing the details of the new Constitution is now under discussion in the Irish Free State Dail. I understand that if this passes the Dail, it will be submitted subsequently to a vote of the Electorate of the Free State, and that it will not come into operation until the people of the Free State have approved it. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are examining the Bill. On 6th May the Irish Free State High Commissioner in London informed my right hon. Friend that the Irish Free State Government had decided not to participate in the Imperial Conference.
Mr William Lunn
, Rothwell
Is it to be discussed even if the Irish Free State are not represented at the Imperial Conference, with a view to a settlement?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
