HC Deb 14 June 1934 vol 290 cc1893-4
54. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs why the negotiations for the transfer to the Government of the Irish Free State of the responsibility for the maintenance of lighthouses, buoys, etc., in the Irish Free State have still not been completed after 11 years; and what are the difficulties in the way of a definite decision?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

In the unavoidable absence of my right hon. Friend, I have been asked to answer this question and the following one. Difficulties both of a technical and of a political character have been encountered in the course of the negotiations referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question, and so far no satisfactory means of meeting them has been found.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

May I ask my right hon. Friend if the cost of maintaining those lighthouses, buoys, etc., has been set off against the debt owed by the Irish Free State to the British Government?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I should certainly like to see that question put upon the Paper.

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