§ MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Kildare, N.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether in making inquiries on the subject of the unemployed, he ascertained the condition of large urban localities in Ireland in respect to unemployment; whether, in the administration of the central fund and its application to the wants of poor localities, Ireland shall be included in the scheme propounded; and whether the amount allocated to Haulbowline by the Admiralty regulations concerning unemployment will have regard more to the extent of such in the districts affected than to the importance of the respective dockyards.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.I am not in a position to give particulars as to the extent of unemployment in Ireland, but my right hon. friend will, of course, be glad to consider any representations that may be made to him. In distributing the money between the respective dockyards, the nature of the work requiring to be dealt with and the resources of the establishments concerned, have had to be borne in mind. The needs of Haulbowline 1622 Yard have, as I am informed, been considered in every possible way consistent with these objects.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, N)asked whether, in the allocation of the £300,000 referred to in the statement of the right hon. Gentleman on Wednesday last, due regard would be taken of the fact that this was the only Government dockyard in Ireland, and that Ireland would not derive any benefit whatever from the large expenditure on ship-building?
§ MR. JOHN O'CONNORasked whether Ireland was to be left out of the distribution of funds, and whether any relief that country received was to depend entirely on the representations it might be prepared to make to the Government.
§ MR. ASQUITHAny representations from any local authority in Ireland or any other body will receive the most careful and attentive consideration.