§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, I have been asked to make a statement with regard to the representations made over last weekend to the United Kingdom by the Eire Government with regard to supplies of coke and coal. Urgent representations were recently made by the Eire authorities for the immediate supply of 500 tons of coke, since the Dublin Gas Company's stocks were likely to be exhausted in the last week of February and this would create a very serious position, especially for the sick and poorer classes, reducing gas supply hours from five to two and a half a day. The Eire authorities also asked for the urgent supply of 5,000 tons of coal in order to maintain goods traffic on the railway and a supply of food to urban centres. Goods traffic is at present restricted to three days a week and many main line passenger trains have been cancelled altogether. His Majesty's Government decided that in spite of the fuel situation in this country they should make an effort to assist Eire in these very special circumstances and the immediate supply of the amounts of fuel requested has accordingly been authorized.