§ Miss Devlinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether discussions have been held between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Northern Ireland on the future status of the Safeguarding of Employment Act, 1949, in relation to the European Economic Community negotiations; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland on the future of the Safeguarding of Employment Act, passed in 1949 by the Stormont legislature, in relation to the European Economic Community negotiations; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SharplesThe Government discussed the problem of the Safeguarding of Employment Act, 1949 with the Government of Northern Ireland before making the proposals described by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 14th June. The Government informed the Government of the Republic of Ireland in advance of the action which we were taking.—[Vol. 819, c.17.]