§ Mr. EMMOTT (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to enter into negotiations with the Irish Free State Government with regard to the application to the Irish Free State of the Import Duties Act after the 15th November, 1932?
Mr. THOMASThe provisions contained in the Bill to abolish the Oath are in direct conflict with the obligations undertaken by the Irish Free State under the Treaty of 1921. It appears to His Majesty's Government that if the Bill becomes law it would be unreasonable to expect that they should enter into negotiations for further agreements with a Government which had thus repudiated an agreement already entered into.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIn view of the fact that the Bill has not yet become law, does the right hon. Gentleman think it would be for the public advantage that the House should debate this question? The Irish Senate has not yet passed this Bill.
Mr. THOMASOn the question of debate, my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council will answer. As to the wisdom of debate, I have no hesitation in saying that I do not think it is necessary.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWe on this side have not asked for time, because we agree among ourselves that it would be best to let this matter come to a settlement in Ireland before public discussion takes place here; but I want to point out to the Government and the House that when the matter is settled we shall ask for time to discuss it.
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)I am sure the House will appreciate the point of view of the right hon. Gentleman. None of us has any desire, while this matter is still being discussed in Ireland, to interfere at all. When the question is put to me subsequently, in the event of time for debate being demanded, of course I shall be prepared to give it favourable consideration.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it is in keeping either with the dignities or decencies of this House that a statement of policy of the gravity which is intimated by the Secretary of State for the Dominions, should have been made before there has been an opportunity for the House to discuss the matter for even five minutes?
§ Mr. MAXTONI was putting the question to the Lord President of the Council on a matter of business.
§ Mr. BALDWINThe question and the answer are both hypothetical. After careful consideration, I think we have dealt in a perfectly straightforward and proper way with it.
§ Mr. MAXTONI wish the right hon. Gentleman would point out to me the hypothetical nature of the statement made by the Secretary for the Dominions, or the hypothetical nature of the fact that I have stated, that there has not been five minutes' debate in this House of the Irish question during the whole Session.