§ 94. Mr. BYRNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the quantity of food supplies and other necessaries for the military carried on the Irish railways for use in Great Britain and by the Allies in France; if he is aware of what a stoppage on the Irish railways would mean to the trade and commerce of Great Britain; if he is aware that English railway workers have received two increases of 5s., making their war bonus 10s. per week; and if he will consider the advisability of recommending that the Government should treat Irish railwaymen the same as railway employés in Great Britain?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI am afraid I cannot add to the replies given to the questions on this subject which were asked by the hon. Gentleman on the 12th October and previous dates.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities of supplies are being carried on the Irish railways for the use of the military authorities?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is asking exactly the same question as that standing on the Paper.
§ Mr. BYRNEWill the hon. Gentleman consider the claims of these men to be treated the same as their colleagues?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThat matter is not within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the railways of Ireland are under the direct control of the Government inasmuch as the military have several times recently stopped the running of trains.
§ Mr. PRETYMANThat is a military matter.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Irish railway workers are taken on to work from 14s, per week?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI am afraid I could not answer that without notice.
§ 100. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the President of the Board of Trade if the Board of Trade will, through its own channels, make inquiries in order to ascertain if there are reasonable grounds for supposing that any persons or rings are unreasonably withholding food or other necessaries of life or manipulating markets in order to artificially raise prices; if there are reasonable grounds for suspicion, will steps be taken against the suspected parties under the existing law; and, if that is inadequate, will he introduce adequate legislation?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI may refer the hon. Member to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in reference to this subject in a speech in the House on 17th October, in which, I think, all the points now raised were dealt with. I am sending him a copy of the passage dealing with this matter. As has already been stated, it is hoped that the powers of the Board of Trade will he strengthened in the near future.