§ The EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY had given Notice that he would ask His Majesty's Government whether it is yet possible to give to this House some information regarding the progress of the negotiations with the Government of Eire, mentioned by the Lord Chancellor on May 7, on the subject of unemployment benefits for the Southern Irish Volunteers, and move for Papers. The noble Earl said: My Lords, I beg formally to ask the Question of which I have given notice, and to move for Papers.
§ 7.20 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONMy Lords, in reply to the noble and gallant Earl, I am glad to have the opportunity of letting him know that His Majesty's Government's proposals for dealing with the payment of unemployment benefit to Eire citizens, who have served in His Majesty's Forces, were handed to the High Commissioner for Eire on May 10. I am glad to say that the Eire Government regard these proposals as providing an acceptable basis for negotiation, and a meeting between representatives of the two Governments is being arranged. I may add that I have to-day been informed that the sittings are expected to begin on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, and I hope that a satisfactory result will follow.
THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERYMy Lords, I beg to thank the noble Viscount for his reply. I am quite sure that what he has said will go a long way towards dispersing the suspicion that had become evident amongst Irish ex-Servicemen that they were going to be let down by the British Government. The noble Viscount did not say anything about those other men who have paid their contributions 402 in this country to the Health Insurance benefit scheme, and who may be out of work. I hope that I may take it that that matter will also be considered. I should like to thank the noble Viscount for what I know has been his own sympathetic handling of this difficult problem, and I am much obliged to him for his answer. I beg leave to withdraw my Motion.
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONMy Lords, on the Motion that is now before the House, may I inform the noble Earl that we are already dealing with the question of civilians, but it will not be possible to deal with it in a comprehensive way until the National Insurance Bill becomes an Act and until there is provision for reciprocal arrangements to be made. I hope that good use will be made of it.
§ Motion for Papers, by leave, withdrawn.