§ 110. Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the conference held in the Central Hall, Belfast, on the 11th instant, and which included representatives of trades unions, labour organisations, friendly societies, and other bodies interested in the food question, and to the statements made on that occasion by various speakers; whether he is aware that, in consequence of the advance in food prices 170 and of the low wages earned by thousands of male, and especially female, breadwinners in Belfast, that city is threatened with actual starvation amongst sections of its workers and their families this winter; that, whilst employers are making unprecedented profits from the manufacture and sale of war material, the condition of many of the workers is described as a disgrace to civilisation and a clanger to the community; that the sufferings of the female workers are aggravated and rendered all but hopeless by the fact that those of them who are called unskilled have little or no organisation amongst themselves, and are at the mercy of employers; that mothers had had actually to watch their children starving and were powerless to help them; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?
§ Mr. DUKEMy attention has been called to the meeting to which the hon. Member refers. As the result of exhaustive inquiries I am glad to be able to assure the hon. Member that there is no foundation for the statement that sections of the workers of Belfast and their families are threatened with starvation. My information is that there is no unusual poverty in Belfast and that, generally speaking, the poor in that city are as well, if not better, off than they have been for many years. The percentage of pauperism is, I am told, the lowest in the United Kingdom. The prospect of the workers this winter are stated to be better than the normal.
§ Mr. SCANLANIn view of the authoritative character of the statements made in the question, will the right hon. Gentleman cause a special inquiry to be made by the Board of Trade into the circumstances and the facts set out in the question?
§ Mr. DUKEMisrepresentations are often given of an authoritative character, which impose upon people who are not on the spot to know the facts. As I stated in my answer, the conclusions I have laid before the House are the result of exhaustive questions, not merely from official sources, but personal inquiries amongst people very familiar with the conditions of Belfast.
§ Mr. SCANLANWhat sources have provided the right hon. Gentleman with his information as to the condition of things in Belfast.
§ Mr. DUKEI have obtained my information from the various official sources at the 171 disposal of the Irish Government and from personal inquiries amongst gentlemen well acquainted with the conditions in Belfast.
§ Sir EDWARD CARSONMay I ask whether these questions and similar ones are not put for political purposes to blacken the character of Belfast?
§ Mr. WARDLEDoes "official sources" include the trade unions in Belfast?
§ Mr. DUKEI think part of the information which was before me was derived from inquiries among people connected with the trade unions in Belfast, but having regard to the question which has been put to me, I will take care to have a direct inquiry made from the trade unions, and if the hon. Member will put a question down it shall be answered.
§ Mr. PATRICK MEEHANAre we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that starvation in Belfast is normal?