HC Deb 15 February 1951 vol 484 cc614-6
46. Lieut.-Colonel Hyde

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement made by the Minister of Works at Manchester on 11th February, that he was opposed to the partition of Ireland, which was an artificial division which would have to be ended, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

48. Mr. F. Maclean

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the public statement made by the Minister of Works at Manchester on 11th February that he was opposed to the partition of Ireland, which would have to be ended; and whether this represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

The Government's policy on the partition of Ireland was fully explained in the debates on the Ireland Bill in 1949, and in particular by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council in the debates on the Second Reading and in Committee. There has been no change in policy since that date and none is contemplated.

Lieut.-Colonel Hyde

Is the Prime Minister aware that this statement, made, presumably, by a responsible Member of the Government, has created a most unfortunate impression in Northern Ireland? Can he give the House an assurance that the Government does not intend to put Northern Ireland out of the United Kingdom?

The Prime Minister

I have already replied to that. The statement which my right hon. Friend made, was made, I gather, at a charitable affair, where there was a symposium at which various Members of Parliament, including hon. Members opposite, were present. The speculations indulged in with regard to the partition of Ireland have no reference to the present policy, but to some possibly desirable situation some time ahead.

Hon. Members

Oh!

Mr. L. M. Lever

As one of the two Members of Parliament present at this charitable affair, which was a brains trust, may I ask if the Prime Minister is aware that no commitment of any kind was made by the Minister of Works? Is he also aware that considerable feeling was expressed at that brains trust that the time had arrived when a solution of the problem of the relations between Northern and Southern Ireland should he arrived at?

Mr. McKibbin

Does not the Prime Minister agree that the purpose of such statements made by a few hon. Members is to get anti-partition votes in their constituencies; but that this counts for nothing against the determination of Ulster that there shall be no surrender?

Mr. Maclean

Would the Prime Minister agree that it is desirable that at any rate the Government Front Bench should give the impression of unity at the present time?

Mr. Logan

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he looked up the history in regard to the relationship of Ireland, he would find that Sir Edward Carson backed the statement that they were only being fooled by the Tory Party over partition?

Earl Winterton

Will the right hon. Gentleman, as a matter of courtesy, convey to the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland his regret for an utterly irresponsible statement by an utterly irresponsible Minister who, obviously, does not know his duty?

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

The matter is too explosive now.