HC Deb 12 March 1928 vol 214 cc1503-4
37. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs when it is proposed to introduce the legislation necessary to declare what are the benefits proposed to be given to Irish civil servants in lieu of those to which they have been held by the Privy Council to be entitled in the recent case of Wigg and another versus the Attorney-General?

Mr. AMERY

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the reply which the Prime Minister will give to a similar question.

41. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the express guarantees given on behalf of the British Government to British civil servants in Ireland that their rights, as provided for in Article 10 of the Treaty, would be secured in full; and whether such guarantees will be implemented?

Mr. AMERY

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury) on the 1st March.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the express guarantee given in 1922, in the month of May, by Lord Peel on behalf of the British Government, when he said that if the Free State Government failed in carrying out their obligations under Article 10 of the Treaty the British Government would guarantee these rights to the Irish Free State?

Mr. AMERY

The Prime Minister is dealing with this point in answer to a later question.

45. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the Government's announcement with regard to the change in Article 10 of the Irish Treaty, it is proposed to introduce legislation to sanction this new position;

(2) whether, in view of the recent agreement between the Irish Free State Government and the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, whereby the judgment of the Privy Council has been overruled, and in view of the fact that the British Government is departing from the agreement arrived at by the Imperial Conference that no immediate change was to be made in the matter of appeals to the Privy Council, and in view of the fact that this decision of the Government will affect all Dominion Governments throughout the Empire, and will raise an issue that goes to the root of imperial citizenship, he will give a day to discuss this question?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)

If it is the general desire, the Government will provide an opportunity for discussion of the whole matter as soon as circumstances permit, and will themselves take that opportunity of presenting a comprehensive statement to the House of the reasons which have led to their decision. I hope that in these circumstances my hon. and gallant Friend will not press me to deal with the matter by way of Question and Answer.

Sir BASIL PETO

Can my right hon. Friend say that no definite steps will be taken to implement the decision which, he says, has been arrived at by the Government, until after the Debate in this House?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am not aware of any definite steps that can be taken prior to the introduction of legislation, and it is obvious that discussion must precede that legislation.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the question I addressed to the Secretary of State for the Dominions as to a definite and express pledge given by Lord Peel and the Lord Chancellor, that if the Free State failed in this matter the British Government would guarantee Irish civil servants their rights under Article 10 of the Treaty?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is exactly one of the points for discussion in the Debate.