IRISH FAMINE

Early day motion 59, tabled 2 June 1997 by Harry Barnes (Labour). Signed by 56 members.

That this House warmly welcomes the Prime Minister's official expression of regret over the role of the British Government at the time of the Great Irish Famine between 1847 and 1850 which caused one million deaths and the emigration of up to two million people; endorses the Prime Minister's belief that the famine was a defining event in the history of Ireland and Britain, with effects that tarnish British-Irish relations to this day; believes that the fact that the then British Government stood aside while a crop failure turned into a massive human tragedy is a powerful indictment of crude laissez-faire economics; further believes that the Prime Minister's considered statement will do much to put a line under the tragedy of the Famine and enable the British and Irish peoples and their governments to build strong and co-operative relations, not least with regard to facilitating an honourable accommodation in Northern Ireland and combating the scourge of Loyalist and Republican terrorism.

Signatures by party: Labour 48, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Liberal Democrat 1.