HC Deb 26 April 1938 vol 335 cc12-4
24. Mr. Lunn

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make as to the relations between this country and the Irish Free State; whether any decisions have been reached on outstanding questions; and whether it is proposed to make arrangements for further meetings?

28. Sir Patrick Hannon

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of the conversations with the representatives of Eire towards the completion of a trade agreement between Great Britain and the Government of that Dominion?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I would ask the hon. Members to await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister proposes to make at the end of questions to-day.

Mr. Lunn

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the statement, before it is made, about this agreement, which is going to settle almost all the questions between this country and Ireland, may I ask whether the £1,000,000 means the settlement of all the land annuities, past and future, and whether or not the coal agreement will include free imports of coal into Ireland from the United Kingdom?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member had better await the statement at the end of questions.

Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)

asked the Prime Minister whether legislation will be required to implement the Agreements reached between the United Kingdom and Eire?

The Prime Minister(Mr.Chamberlain)

Yes, Sir. As the House is aware, as a result of discussions during the past weeks between the two countries, Agreements were signed yesterday by representatives of the two Governments. The texts of the Agreements, which have been presented to Parliament as Command Paper 5728, are already in the hands of hon. Members. The Agreements are subject to Parliamentary confirmation, both in this country and in Eire. Three Agreements have been signed, but it will be possible to deal with these in one comprehensive Bill, and notice of the presentation of this Bill to confirm and give effect to the Agreements will be given immediately. I feel sure that the House will welcome the accord which has been reached. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom believe that it will lead to closer friendship and co-operation between the peoples and Governments of the two countries.

Sir Ronald Ross

May I express the hope, in view of the extremely technical and somewhat complicated provisions of the Agreement, that the Bill will not be introduced until it has been possible to consider closely the very complicated and important matters contained in it?

The Prime Minister

I can give no assurance to-day as to when the Bill will be discussed.

Mr. Thorne

Is there any possibility of a similar satisfactory arrangement being come to with all the European countries?