BOUNDARY:

Consideration was given to

(a) a letter from the Secretary of the Boundary Commission¹ stating that the Commission were desirous of conferring with a representative of this Government and a representative of the British Government on certain matters relating to the publication of the award of the Commission and to the publication and custody of certain documents, and suggesting as a suitable date, Thursday the 19th instant, and

(b) a secret despatch from the British Government dated 11th instant² stating that a similar letter had been received by them from the Boundary Commission, and that they proposed to accept the invitation to the Conference, and to ask the Commission whether they would have any objection to the British Government's being represented by a maximum of six persons. The despatch suggested also that the British and Irish representatives should meet beforehand to discuss the matters which were to be the subject of discussion at the Conference.

Having regard to the fact that the estimates of the Department of Education would probably detain the Minister for Education - who was the Irish Free State Representative on the Boundary Commission - in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, it was considered unlikely that the conference could be held on the date suggested. It was decided therefore to

(1) suggest to the Commission that the Conference be postponed until Tuesday the 24th instant, and

(2) to notify the British Government accordingly, to suggest that the prior meeting of the representatives of both Governments should be held on Monday the 23rd instant, and to inquire whether it was intended that the British delegation to the Conference should consist of Ministers or of officials.

Letters drafted to this effect were submitted to the Executive Council and approved.