§ 47. Mr. DEVLINasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at a special all-Ireland trades union congress held on Tuesday, 16th November, in the Mansion House, Dublin, resolutions were unanimously adopted as the basis of an Irish settlement on the following lines: the withdrawal of the British armed forces from Ireland; the calling of a constituent assembly elected on the basis of proportional representation by a free, equal, and secret vote; that such assembly should draw up a constitution for Ireland on the understanding that such constitution shall be made operative subject only to two conditions, namely, that it affords protection to minorities and that the constitution shall prevent Ireland from becoming a military or naval menace; and whether, in view of the fact that the all-Ireland trade union congress pledges the workers of Ireland to the acceptance of the above policy, he is prepared to take steps to carry it into realisation without delay?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have carefully considered the resolutions in question—and I heard what my hon. Friend said yesterday—and welcome them as expressing a desire on the part of Irish labour organisations for a constitutional settlement. I am unable to agree, however, that that object can best be attained in the manner proposed.
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think, in the absence of any organised method of exposing the National will, that he ought to accept the declara- 625 tion of the trades union congress as the declaration of men who are capable of speaking for the nation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWell, no; I do not think that Ireland itself quite accepts that view. Undoubtedly this body represents a very powerful section of Irish opinion, and to that extent it is a valuable contribution; but I do not believe Ireland accepts an expression of opinion from a labour conference, especially as Ireland is not an industrial country, as an expression of the opinion of the whole nation.
§ Mr. DEVLINIf we can give the right hon. Gentleman an assurance that this is not only the expressed will of industrial Ireland—[HON. MEMBERS: "It is not!"] —but also of agricultural Ireland—[HON. MEMBERS: "It is not!"]—will he concede the demand made by the labour conference?
§ Mr. DONALDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the terms of this question are entirely misleading, and that the gathering was a political, and not a trade union one at all—it was Sinn Fein, and does not represent the views of 80 per cent, of the trade unionists of Ireland?
§ Mr. DEVLINIf this was a Sinn Fein Conference, and the right hon. Gentleman now understands what Sinn Fein is prepared to accept, will he concede the demand?
§ The PRIME MINISTEREven if this were a body of Sinn Feiners it does not mean that these people claim to represent the whole of the Sinn Feiners.
§ Mr. DEVLINYou do not want everybody; you only want the best.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhat we have always asked for is an expression of opinion by those authorised to speak on behalf of the whole of Nationalist Ireland. I do not think the right hon. Gentleman would say that this body was entitled to speak on behalf of three-quarters of Ireland.
§ Mr. DEVLINYes, I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I do say it now.
§ Mr. A. HENDERSONHas the right hon. Gentleman not repeatedly told the House that his difficulty was to find any 626 one who could speak for a substantial volume of opinion in Ireland: does not a trades congress of over 1,000 delegates answer to the demand that he has made; and would he not be prepared to open negotiations with those who do represent organised opinion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe way in which I explained it was by a common phrase: "Those who can deliver the goods." It is obvious that in a country like Ireland, which is not an industrial country, that a body of this kind does not represent the whole of the Irish nation. There is a body which undoubtedly represents the Irish nation chosen by the electors—
§ Mr. MacVEAGHYou have them all in goal!
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere are bodies that can speak on behalf of Ireland, but this body cannot.
§ Mr. SEXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at this Congress 50 per cent, of the agricultural labourers were represented?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, but take that figure, that is only 50 per cent, of the agricultural labourers; the farmers were not there.
§ Mr. DEVLINIf a National Conference is held representing not only the industrial, but the agricultural labourers' organisation, would the right hon. Gentleman concede the demand?
§ Mr. MOLESBefore the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether he is not aware that six successive Sinn Fein Conferences, by elected delegates, speaking of the whole of Nationalist Ireland, have six times affirmed that nothing but an independent republic will satisfy them?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is so. The only bodies that can claim for the moment to represent Irish opinion have spoken in that sense. I have repeatedly stated in this House and outside that that is one of the difficulties.
§ Mr. DEVLINHow will you get over that?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI could indicate it; but it must be a body that has got control of Irish opinion to that extent, first of all of guaranteeing that no further 627 murders will be committed—that is essential! This body could not even stop the murders in Ireland. I am Very pleased to think that they had nothing whatever to do with that organisation. It is essential that the body concerned should represent those loyal to the authority of the Crown.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHMay I ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis Debate now stands adjourned.