The Prime Minister went on to say that the report
of the Geddes Committee would be laid before the House this week. The Government could not accept some of the proposals. In regard to Egypt,' which was not a sovereign state, the Govern- ment were prepared to abandon the Protectorate on dear fundamental conditions. British protection was more necessary to the European community in Egypt now than it was in 1882, when Mr. Gladstone intervened on their behalf. Until Lord Allenby had reported on the situation, a debate on Egyptian affairs would be undesirable. As for Ireland, Parliament would have to give authority to the new Provisional Government. At a later stage, when an elected Irish Assembly had framed 'a constitution, Parliament would have to endorse and register that :measure. The failure of Sir James Craig and Mr. Collins to agree at once on the boundary question need not be taken too seriously. "They are two Irishmen. I have seen 'Irishmen bargain and that is the way. One puts forward demands which the other considers preposterous." The boundary question would not arise until after the constitution had been framed and legalized by Act of Parliament. The British Govern- ment stood by the " Treaty" with Sinn Fein.
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