HC Deb 27 May 1919 vol 116 cc1022-4
62. Mr. DEVLIN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions whether he will state who were invited to his recent meeting in Belfast; and why invitations were not sent to the two representatives of the Discharged Soldiers' and Sailors' Federation in Belfast?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir James Craig)

The invitations to attend the meeting in Belfast on the subject of decentralisation were issued to the chairmen of all local war pensions committees in the Ulster region, and they were informed that anyone specially interested in the welfare of discharged disabled sailors and soldiers whom they desired to bring with them would be heartily welcomed.

Mr. DEVLIN

Can the right hon. Gentleman state why there was not a single political opponent of his invited to this meeting, and whether the administration of pensions in Ireland is being carried on by a political caucus which is arousing tremendous indignation amongst the Nationalist soldiers throughout the country?

Sir J. CRAIG

I think the hon. Member is rather exaggerating his fears. There has been no change whatever in any of the local war pensions committees, to my knowledge, since we took office.

Mr. DEVLIN

Who was it prepared the list of those who were to be invited to this meeting?

Sir J. CRAIG

The chairmen of the local war pensions committees throughout Ulster were asked to bring with them anyone particularly interested in the subject.

Mr. DEVLIN

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that no Nationalists were invited to that meeting? [A laugh.] There is not the slightest need to laugh. I have a right to be interested in the treatment of these soldiers in Ireland. I am asking the question because this is becoming a serious matter in Ireland. I want to know why only one political section in Ulster were invited to attend these meetings for dealing with the pensions of returned soldiers?

Sir J. CRAIG

The same procedure as regards invitations to the meeting was carried out in Belfast and in Dublin and no objection was raised. The same procedure was followed in Wales and in Scotland, and it is proposed to follow it throughout the rest of the United Kingdom.

Mr. ARCHDALE

Is not the Rev. Father Gormley, Roman Catholic curate of Inniskillen, one of the strongest men who was invited to the meeting from Fermanagh?

Sir J. CRAIG

Certainly. All the chairmen were invited to bring along with them those who were particularly interested in the question. We had a very large, very representative and very successful meeting.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House the list of the names of persons invited? I think we are entitled ——

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is entitled to ask a question.

Mr. DEVLIN

I will ask the Leader of the House a question. He need not shake his head, because I intend to ask him whether an early opportunity will be given to Members of this House from Ireland to discuss the whole question of pensions as affecting Ireland?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I cannot say that anything I have heard in the course of this cross-questioning suggests there is any special need for such a discussion.

Mr. DEVLIN

In view of the ruling of Mr. Speaker that I am asking too many questions, if I place before the right hon. Gentleman considerations which I think make it desirable he should give us an opportunity for bringing forward this matter in the House, will he reconsider his answer?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I will certainly receive and consider any representation which bears out the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman that pensions are being dealt with in Ireland in a party spirit.

Mr. SPEAKER

I did not rule that the hon. Member was asking too many questions. I invited him to ask a question.

Mr. DEVLIN

Thank you kindly, Sir; I will remember that.