HC Deb 21 December 1938 vol 342 cc2873-4
46. Mr. Lunn

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed at a conference of the Northern Ireland Labour party, and sent him by the hon. Member for Rothwell, to the effect that Ireland as a whole is an economic unit, that trade and the conditions of the workers could be materially improved by close economic co-operation between North and South, and requesting the Northern Ireland Government to approach the Government of Eire and the United Kingdom Government with a view to the removal of any barriers now restricting trade between the two parts of the country; and, if he has considered this proposal, whether he proposes to initiate any action in the matter?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. The considerations mentioned were not lost sight of in the course of the negotiations leading up to the recent Trade Agreement, and I do not think that there is any further action which I can usefully initiate.

Mr. Lunn

Are we to take it that the right hon. Gentleman is not initiating any action in this matter?

The Prime Minister

I am not initiating action.