§ 53. Mr. PETOasked the Prime Minister what is the nature of the work undertaken by the Ministry of Reconstruction; whether it is confined to the investigation of commercial and industrial problems or whether it includes the preparation of specific recommendations; whether any recommendations of a definite kind have been made by the Ministry of Reconstruction to the War Cabinet; and whether the work of the Ministry is based upon the continuance of Free Trade as the fiscal policy of the country after the War, or whether it is based upon the Report of the Committee presided over by Lord Balfour of Burleigh on the commercial and industrial policy to be adopted after the War, or on the recommendations of the Paris Conference?
§ The MINISTER of RECONSTRUCTION (Dr. Addison)I have been asked to answer this question. In reply to the first part, I would refer the hon. Member to the Report of the War Cabinet. The reply to the second and third parts of the question is that specific recommendations are made from time to time to the War Cabinet. In answer to the last part of the question, I am endeavouring, in consultation with persons of wide experience and of different views, to frame schemes for tiding the country over the transition period, and for restarting and developing industry on a peace footing; and I trust that these schemes will be found to be such as will secure the co-operation of all parties when His Majesty's Government arc in a position to announce them.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman give me a specific answer to the last part of the question, which he entirely evaded in his reply?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have given the hon. Member a specific answer and a correct answer.
§ 55. Captain SHEEHANasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has no representation on most of the Departmental Committees and Commissions dealing with reconstruction after the War; whether he is aware that no public inquiries have taken place in Ireland on this question of national reconstruction; and, seeing that in industrial, social, and economic matters the case of Ireland is totally different from that of Great Britain, whether he will consider the advisability of it being dealt with separately and independently, and of setting up for this purpose an Irish Reconstruction Council, invested with specially defined powers and appropriate terms of reference?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have been asked to answer this question. I must refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answers given by me in reply to questions asked by him on the 5th instant, and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour on the 18th instant. I fully appreciate the point of view which the hon. and gallant Member presents, and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland. I regret, however, that I am not in a position to make any further statement at the moment.
§ Captain SHEEHANI have made very earnest representations on this subject, and I want a definite answer as to whether, having regard to the special conditions in Ireland, a special Irish Reconstruction Council could not be appointed immediately? There is strong feeling upon it.
§ Dr. ADDISONI am consulting my right hon. Friend upon it.