§ Mr. MAXTON(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can make any statement to the House as to the conversations reported in the Press as taking place between the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and himself?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)Some doubt having been expressed to the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland as to the precise meaning of paragraph 4 of my despatch of 9th April to Mr. De Valera, Lord Craigavon came to see the Home Secretary and myself on the subject. We informed him that we were surprised that any misunderstanding should have arisen in regard to the reference in that paragraph to the effect of Mr. De Valera's proposals upon the possibility of the establishment, at some future time, of a united Ireland, and we assured him that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom had not, of course, contemplated that any such development could take place except with the full consent of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MAXTONArising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if we can be altogether satisfied that nothing took place in those conversations that would prejudice in any way any 1130 future conversations that may take place with the representatives of the Irish Free State?
Mr. THOMASI can assure my hon. Friend that the discussion was limited to the specific point raised in my despatch to Mr. De Valera and the assurance was given to the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in precisely the same terms as I have read out to the House.