HC Deb 12 November 1918 vol 110 cc2509-10
Mr. DILLON (by Private Notice)

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the strike of the Belfast municipal employés—house and street cleansers; whether the cause of the dispute is an alleged attempt by the improvement committee of the corporation to change the conditions of labour previously carried out by the street sweepers and those engaged as bin removers and house cleansers without an agreement with the men's unions; whether the strike started on 2nd October, since which date not a street has been swept, or the rubbish removed from a single house for over five weeks; and whether as a result of this condition of things the health of the city is very seriously threatened; whether the influenza epidemic is spreading, and typoid fever has also broken out; whether the men offered on the 22nd October to resume work immediately if the corporation would agree to arbitration, but the corporation refused to do so; whether the corporation on 2nd November put proposals before the men which were rejected, the men renewing their demand for immediate arbitration; and whether he will take steps, in the interests of the public health, to induce the corporation to agree to immediate arbitration?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)

I only received notice of this question by post this morning. My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter, but I am now making inquiries, and will acquaint my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not part of the policy of the Government that there should be no coercion of Ulster?

Mr. BYRNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that details of this dispute have already appeared in the Press?

Mr. SHORTT

Yes; but I do not know what the explanation is.