§ 8. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any further statement to make as to the relations between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State; and whether any recent action has been taken to improve the relations between the two countries?
Mr. M. MacDONALDAs I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Roth-well (Mr. Lunn) on 29th October, I am not in a position to add anything to previous statements on the subject.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to bring the two countries closer together?
§ 9. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs whether he is aware that the Lord Mayor of Manchester is to head a municipal and commercial friendship delegation to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, with a view to the improvement of relations between the two countries; and, in view of the 1480 good that may accrue were the Lord Mayor of Manchester to convey from His Majesty's Government to the Lord Mayor of Dublin a message of good will in relation to the question of the Irish Land Annuities, will the Government take advantage of this opportunity for reciprocal effort to bridge the difficulties of the present situation?
Mr. MacDONALDI have seen reports in the Press of the proposed visit of the Lord Mayor of Manchester to Dublin. While in general I am entirely in favour of any step which can be taken to promote better relations between this country and the Irish Free State, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by adopting the particular suggestion contained in the second part of the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIn view of the widespread desire for a rapprochement between the Irish Free State and ourselves, and the obvious advantages if such an arrangement ensued, will not the right hon. Gentleman take upon himself the responsibility of making suggestions in order that friendly relations may be resumed?
Mr. MacDONALDI assure the hon. Member that this important matter continues to engage the very active consideration of the Government, and, if we feel that we can usefully take the initiative, we shall not hesitate to do so.