In a letter of even date the Secretary of the Department has informed An Taoiseach that in a conversation this morning Mr. MacDonald told me that he would hold up, for the present, the despatch of the formal communications of his Government on the recent London discussions.

At the close of the conversation on that point, however, Mr. MacDonald adverted to An Taoiseach's intention to refer to Partition in his St. Patrick's Day messages. Repeating his observation of yesterday he said it was absolutely clear that An Taoiseach was perfectly free to say whatever he pleased on that subject. On that there could be no question or doubt.

Having said that Mr. MacDonald respectfully suggested it would be a great help to him if on St. Patrick's Day An Taoiseach could keep in mind the very real difficulties the British have in their party in regard to Northern Ireland.