§ 45. Sir Ronald Rossasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Prime Minister of Eire has taken steps to interfere with the elections for the Parliament of Northern Ireland; and if he will protest against such interference with elections in a part of the United Kingdom by the Government of a country outside the British Commonwealth.
§ 46. Professor Savoryasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Prime Minister of Eire has taken steps to give active support to Republican candidates at the General Election now being held in Northern Ireland; and whether he has protested to the Government of Eire, which is now a foreign country, against such interference in elections being held in a part of the United Kingdom.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)I assume that the hon. Members refer to the statement issued by the conference of representatives of all the Eire Parliamentary Parties, which was held in Dublin on 27th January. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by making representations to the Eire Government on this subject.
§ Sir R. RossIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, no doubt encouraged by the attitude of their Government, a mob of several hundred people, who were not voters in the constituency or British subjects, invaded Strabane last night and attacked people attending a Unionist meeting, throwing stones and bottles, and I understand women and girls were among the injured?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not had information of that incident. I have had news of quite a number of incidents in Northern Ireland which shows that elections there are not conducted on quite the same lines as over here.
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyIn view of the very serious allegations that the Prime Minister has made, will he now specify 191 the methods in which they differ and give the proofs on which he bases what I imagine—coming from the Prime Minister—is a considered statement?
§ The Prime MinisterI have had the complaint of the hon. Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross). I have also had complaints from persons on the other side in politics. I have also had explanations from persons as to why this occurred, and it is quite obvious, I think everybody knows, that elections in Northern Ireland tend to be a good deal rowdier than on this side of the water.
§ Mr. John McKayIs the Prime Minister aware that Robert Emmet, the great Protestant and patriot, when he was sentenced, said, "When my country takes its place among the nations of the world then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written"? Is it not sad that that epitaph cannot yet be written? Is the Prime Minister aware that it is to the best interests of this nation that a more enlightened view of the needs of this country and the necessities of Ireland should be ventilated in Northern Ireland so that—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member does not appear to me to be asking a question. He appears to be making a speech.
§ Professor SavoryMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the Prime Minister of Eire instituted a collection to be taken last Sunday and the Sunday before in every parish in Eire and that this money, amounting to over £50,000, was taken to Belfast by a delegation consisting of two Senators, a deputy and a barrister, of which I have a photograph in my hand taken at an hotel in Belfast; and according to the "Irish Times" the first instalment of £300 is to be paid to each of the Republican candidates towards their election expenses?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member seems to be giving me information rather than asking a question.
§ Professor SavoryWhy should I not?
§ Mr. StanleyMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he is not constituting a very serious precedent in making no protest against this official interference with an election by the Government of 192 another country, and whether it is not a precedent which may now be willingly followed by other Governments which are more hostile to his party?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand this was not the action of a Government but that it was action by a number of persons of all parties. It is not clear that this was a governmental action.
§ Professor SavoryThe Prime Minister of Eire organised it.
§ Mr. McGovernIn view of these allegations which strike at the roots of democracy, would not the Prime Minister consider the setting up of a commission to investigate the suggestions and send men from this country to do that?
§ Sir R. RossIs not the right how Gentleman aware that the all-party meeting to which he alludes, originated at the suggestion and instigation of the Prime Minister of Eire; and is this interference with United Kingdom elections to be allowed to other foreign countries or is it one of the privileges that Eire alone enjoys?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member will remember the statement which I made with regard to the position of Eire, which was not classified as a foreign country.
§ Mr. Gallacheris the Prime Minister aware that there has been gross, deliberate and organized opposition of the most hooligan character directed against the hon. Member for West Belfast (Mr. J. Beattie), a Member of this House, by the supporters of the Stormont Government, and in view of the fact that we legally recognise the Government of the Irish Republic, have they not a right to interfere in Irish affairs?
§ Mr. StanleyAre we now to understand from the Prime Minister's last answer that when he said he was not going to treat the Government of Eire as a Government of a foreign country he meant by that that he was going to allow them to interfere in our elections?
§ The Prime MinisterI implied nothing of the sort. I was correcting the hon. Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross) on a question of fact.
§ Professor SavoryI wish to give notice that in view of the unsatisfactory answers 193 of the Prime Minister, I shall draw attention to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment as soon as possible.