asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Govern- ment made any representations to the Irish Free State Government to prevent the execution of Erskine Childers and his four colleagues; and whether His Majesty's Government will make representations to prevent further executions of war prisoners in Ireland?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the payment of pensions of Irish civil servants who retire or may be discharged in consequence of the change of Government, or who have retired prior to the change, will be guaranteed statutorily by the British Government; and whether such pensioners will be guaranteed that they shall not be in a less favourable condition, as regards the terms, Conditions, and tenure of their pensions than they would have been had they continued in the service of the British Government?

The payment of fair compensation, on terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, to Irish civil servants who are discharged by the Free State or who retire in consequence of the change of Government, is prescribed and promised by Article 10 of the Treaty, to which statutory force has already been given, on the part of Great Britain, by the Free State Agreement Act, 1922, and on the part of Ireland by the Constitution of the Irish Free State which is being ratified by the Bill now before Parliament. The pensions of persons who retired prior to the change of Government are payable in the first place out of British revenues, subject to recovery from Irish funds.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether persons who retire under Article 10 of the Treaty will have their pensions guaranteed by the British Government, and whether that guarantee will be embodied in the Statute?

I think that matter was fully discussed last night.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no answer was given, and can he give one now?

I would rather my hon. and learned Friend put a question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister what action was taken by the representative of His Majesty's Government at Athens to prevent the execution of former Greek Ministers who are being tried for high treason; and what are the reasons for any intervention that has taken place?

I stated yesterday that His Majesty's Government had urged the Greek Government not to permit the execution of the ex-Ministers, and had warned them that, if this step were taken, we should withdraw our representative. In taking this action His Majesty's Government were actuated by the general consideration that it is contrary to the practice of civilised Governments to put to death out-going Ministers on account of the failure of their policy. I may add that these executions were carried out by a committee resulting from a military revolution.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether in this matter we acted in concert with our Allies; whether our Allies propose to take similar action in withdrawing their representatives from Athens, and, if not, why in this case alone we acted without consultation with our Allies?

In this case we did not act in concert with our Allies. It is a case in which, on its merits, we think the British Government were right in taking the action they took.

May I ask whether the Greek Minister has left or is leaving?

He is not now in London. He was away before this happened.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state whether the Government will bring in legislation extending the life of Section 1 of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to a previous question by the hon. Member last Monday.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that unless something is done to renew the Act this Session, a large number of very poor boroughs in London will simply be bankrupt? As I postponed the question till to-day, can I get an answer to-morrow or on Monday? When will the Minister be able to make up his mind and give a definite answer?

It is quite impossible to say when Ministers can make up their mind and give definite answers, but I can assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend is considering the matter in conjunction with those responsible, and that there will be no undue delay.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister has told us that he hopes to wind up this Session in a day or two; is he aware that there is no time to lose if we are to have this Act renewed in time to give these poor boroughs the relief they need; and is he aware of the fact that, to their credit, the richer boroughs do not object to the renewal of this Act?

I am aware of all those considerations.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider at the same time the extension of the same Act to the necessitous boroughs in the counties?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.