HC Deb 14 March 1957 vol 566 cc1306-7
42. Mr. P. Bell

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations in view of the increasing tension in Ireland, if he will initiate discussions with the Republic of Eire and the Government of Northern Ireland upon the Republic's joining the Commonwealth on the basis of the proposals recently made by Dr. D'Alton the Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh.

Mr. Alport

The present relationship of Northern Ireland to the United Kingdom is guaranteed by the Ireland Act, 1949, passed with the consent of all parties in Parliament. The status of Northern Ireland as an integral part of the United Kingdom can only be altered with the consent of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.

Her Majesty's Government would always be ready to consider sympathetically any proposals for the future status of Ireland which command the support both of the Parliament of Northern Ireland and of the Government of the Irish Republic. But my noble Friend has no evidence that the proposals to which my hon. and learned Friend refers have such support, and he does not therefore propose to initiate discussions on them.

Mr. Bell

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that a federated Ireland would be of immense value, both economically and strategically, to N.A.T.O. and that if these two countries could get together and the Republic could join the Commonwealth they would earn an immense debt of gratitude from all the people who love freedom?

Mr. Alport

Whatever may be the feelings of my hon. and learned Friend and of other hon. Members on this matter, it would be right if I referred him to the remarks made by the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and the Taoiseach of the Irish Republic, which I think put this matter into its proper perspective.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that this is a matter in which Her Majesty's Government should take the initiative in the interest of the peace and good will of the peoples in these two islands?

Mr. Alport

This is a matter for the Parliament and people of Northern Ireland and for the Parliament and people of the Irish Republic.

Sir D. Campbell

Is my hon. Friend aware that the great majority of the people of Northern Ireland have a deep pride in their loyalty to the Crown and that no proposal which would take them out of the United Kingdom or transfer their allegiance to a republic can have the least hope of being accepted?

Mr. Alport

I think that all sides of the House are aware of and appreciate the very strong attachments of loyalty to the Crown which exist in Northern Ireland. To Her Majesty's Government that is a primary factor in any consideration of this matter.