§ 67. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what agreements have been reached between Great Britain and Eire as a result of the recent conversations in London with Mr. Costello and his colleagues; and if he will make a statement generally on the present economic relations between the two countries.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerAs my hon. and learned Friend is aware, the Heads of an Agreement between the Governments of Eire and the United Kingdom were initialled in London on Tuesday last. The purpose of the Agreement will be to facilitate trade between our two countries, to develop Eire's productive resources, and to reduce the present adverse balance of Eire's trade both with the United Kingdom and with the rest of the world. The detailed provisions of the Heads of Agreement were explained in an announcement which was issued before the Eire Ministers went home, and of which I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy. I think he will agree that the arrangements made are likely to prove of great advantage to the peoples both of Eire and of the United Kingdom. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the Government's appreciation of the spirit which was shown by the Prime Minister of Eire and his colleagues, and of the friendly atmosphere in which our work was done.