§ 19. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any action is being taken to secure an agreement between this country and the Irish Free State on all outstanding differences?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)I am not in a position to make any further statement on this subject.
§ Mr. LUNNIn view of the urgency that an agreement should be come to on these outstanding questions between this country and the Irish Free State, when can we expect a definite statement from the right hon. Gentleman? 14 Gentleman aware that the reason for my question is that these children are in the pits at one and two o'clock in the morning, which is why they are being injured?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI am aware that the time is recorded, but that is not quite the whole question. A certain amount of overlapping takes place, and that is the cause of the difficulty of getting out figures for any particular time.
§ Mr. G. GRIFFITHSDoes not the Minister's reference to overlapping suggest that these people are working overtime, and that that is the reason why there are so many accidents?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKNo, Sir.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIt sounds like it.
§ Following are the figures:
§ Mr. MacDONALDIf I could make any statement, I would gladly do so, but I am afraid I cannot make any promise.
§ Mr. LOGANHas the right hon. Gentleman any intention whatever of making any overtures to the Irish Free State? [An HON. MEMBER: "Why should he?"] For the sake of this House and the Irish people.
§ Mr. MacDONALDI would refer the hon. Member to the answers I have given on previous occasions.