§ 61. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if, in view of the serious decline in the amount of coal exported to the Irish Free State since the imposition by them of duties on British coal in reply to the Irish Free State (Special Duties) Act, he will enter into negotiations with the Irish Free State Government with a view to exempting equivalent Irish produce from duty in return for withdrawal of the Irish duty on British coal?
Mr. J. H. THOMASWhile I regret that the action which the Irish Free State Government have seen fit to take in pursuance of their dispute with this country has caused loss to United Kingdom exporters of coal, I am satisfied that any attempt to reach a partial settlement on the lines suggested by the hon. Member would not be likely to be useful. At the same time, as I have frequently explained to the House, the Government remain desirous of a friendly settlement with the Irish Free State, provided that it proceeds on the basis that the validity of existing obligations is accepted.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIn giving continual accounts of the revenue drawn from his tariffs, does the right hon. Gentleman consider, on the other side, the unemployment benefit which has to be paid in the coalfields as a result of that policy; and does he consider that the result of throwing people out of employment in this country justifies the imposition of these tariffs?
Mr. THOMASBefore arriving at a decision which was endorsed by this House the proposition before the Government was this: Are the British people entitled to pay an obligation that is due from other people? We decided that they were not, and we took this course as the only course open to us.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman believe that it was the wish of this House that that policy should be carried to an extent which would bring injury to our own people? Does he remember that he proceeded to Canada to negotiate a coal agreement some years ago—with considerable success, I understand—and will he not do the same with Ireland? There was a question of ships, too, in that case.
Mr. THOMASWith regard to the last part of the question, when I negotiated the agreement with Canada, the export of anthracite coal from Wales was in the vicinity of 400,000 tons. As a result of my efforts last year it was 1,200,000 tons.
§ Mr. MAXTONHaving regard to these results—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question is about Ireland. We cannot go from there to Wales.
§ Mr. MAXTONI said that the right hon. Gentleman had made a considerable success in that case.