HC Deb 06 April 1932 vol 264 cc144-5
Mr. LANSBURY

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the subject of communications with the Government of the Irish Free State on the two questions of the Oath and the Land Annuties?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

I received this morning a communication from Mr. de Valera. It is at present under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement, say, on Monday in reference to this rather important matter

Mr. THOMAS

I agree that it is important, and I think that I shall be in a position to answer on Monday if the right hon. Gentleman will repeat his question.

Mr. MAXTON

Cannot the Minister let the House know the contents of the letter now so that we can give it consideration? It cannot be a very extended communication.

Mr. THOMAS

It is not customary to publish documents of this kind without agreement between the two Governments. I promised the House on the last occasion that publication of the documents would be made at the earliest possible moment, and that is certainly our intention now. At the earliest possible moment all documents of both Governments will be published.

Mr. MAXTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the Irish Government want this document to be kept secret?

Mr. THOMAS

There is no more reason to assume that than that our reply shall be kept secret, but the communication came this morning, and the hon. Gentleman, I am sure, will agree that before it is published the Government should at least have full time to consider the whole document. That is the only reason.