HC Deb 28 June 1917 vol 95 cc502-3
4. Mr. BYRNE

asked the Chief Secretary if lie will state the Government's proposals for the relief of unemployment in Ireland caused by the brewing and distilling restrictions?

Mr. DUKE

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member's question of yesterday.

Mr. FIELD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are 1,200 men, out of employment in the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin owing to these restrictions, and will the Government do anything towards finding employment for these men?

Mr. DUKE

I know that there is a good deal of unemployment, and steps have been taken in every direction wherever they can properly be taken within the powers of the Government to provide employment for men out of employment.

Mr. DEVLIN

Would not the best way to put an end to this unemployment be to withdraw the restrictions?

Mr. DUKE

I cannot discuss that now.

Mr. R. McNEILL

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea how many of these unemployed people are of military age?

Mr. DUKE

I have had some inquiries made, and I am informed that there are a considerable number of unemployed men who would not be fit for military service, and for whom it is very desirable employ-ployment should be found if possible.

Mr. DEVLIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been more recruiting in Dublin lately than in Belfast?

Mr. DUKE

I do not know about Belfast, but I know that there has been a good deal of recruiting in Dublin

8. Mr. O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has inquired into the complaints made by licensed traders that they are not receiving from the local agents of Messrs. Guinness and Company the amount of porter they would be entitled to on their trading in 1915; and what steps he proposes taking to secure that these small traders get a fair supply from the brewers?

Mr. DUKE

The Board of Customs and Excise have received a number of complaints from licensed traders in Ireland that the wholesale beer dealers who supplied them with porter in 1915–16 are refusing to supply them during the current year with one-third of the amount supplied in 1915–16. Inquiry has been made into the complaints, and the Board have endeavoured without success to get the traders supplied. It appears that the traders have no legal claim upon the brewers, the dealers by whom the porter was supplied not being recognised as agents by the brewers.

Mr. O'DONNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to amend the law, so as to enable those men to get their legitimate supply?

Mr. DUKE

I will bring that matter to the notice of the proper authorities.