asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the date on which representations were last made to the British Government in connection with the proposed reciprocal arrangements for the payment of benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; if the British Government has refused definitely to enter into reciprocal arrangements, or if they are prepared to do so only under certain conditions; and, if the latter, whether he will state the conditions under which the British Government are prepared to enter into such arrangements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Reciprocal Arrangements.
Proposals for reciprocal arrangements in connection with unemployment insurance between this country and Great Britain were examined by representatives of both countries in a conference held in London in 1931. The examination revealed grave difficulties in the way of such an arrangement. The representatives of Great Britain undertook to give consideration to proposals which were formulated. No reply was received, however, to a despatch which I caused to be sent in 1932 requesting information as to any decision which the Government of Great Britain may have reached. Formal negotiations in relation to this matter have not been undertaken since.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, did I not understand him to say, in reply to a somewhat similar question last week, that representations on this subject had been made to the British Government since the London Agreement? Am I now to understand that that is not so and that no such representations were made at all after or since the London Agreement?
I made no such statement last week.
You did.
The Minister did.
Would the Deputies look again at the Dáil report for last week?
The Minister certainly left the House under that impression.
I again refer Deputies to the Dáil report.
Will the Minister say whether in fact any representations have been made to the British Government since the London Agreement?
I refer the Deputy to the reply given here to-day.
Further to the reply, is it the intention of the Minister to make to the British Government representations in connection with reciprocal arrangements on this subject?
I refer the Deputy to the reply given here last week.
Do you now repudiate that?
I have not repudiated it.
Will the Minister now clarify the position in view of the vagueness with which he has surrounded it, and will he tell the House whether he will make representations to the British Government on this matter?
As I stated last week, the matter has been taken up again.