HC Deb 08 April 1914 vol 60 c1962
Mr. BRADY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary a question which I have given him in private notice: Whether, in view of the opinion that distress undoubtedly exists in Dublin in consequence of the recent strike, and in view of his expressed desire to alleviate such distress, he will find some method of obtaining immediate Treasury sanction for a Grant to the Dublin Distress Committee?

Mr. BIRRELL

A Grant of £10,000 out of £100,000 voted in July last for contributions in aid of expenses in connection with unemployment was allocated to Ireland. This amount was double the sum received in the previous year. The increase was mainly on account of the Dublin strike. If it had been possible to obtain another Grant, I should have been glad, but, owing partly to the reluctance of the strikers to register themselves as applicants for work, the Dublin Distress Committee were unable to earn more under the Act. I am not aware of any other funds at the disposal of the Treasury.

Mr. BRADY

Is it not possible to make some arrangement whereby the Vote to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred should be put down at the earliest possible date?

Mr. BIRRELL

In the ordinary course—if it comes on at all—it comes on in July; but I will see what can be done.