52. Captain COOTEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the lamentable position of ex-service men in Ireland, he will authorise the payment of grants to enable such men to set up in businesses of their own and cause the Regulations of the Civil Liabilities (Military Service) Department to be specially extended in order to make this possible?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am fully alive to the difficulties to which the present position in Ireland exposes ex-service men. The whole case is being examined, and the position of Civil Liabilities grants will receive the most careful consideration.
Captain COOTEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 187,000 of these ex-service men in Ireland all more or less in a lamentable condition, and can steps be taken to expedite some provision being made?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWPerhaps I had better answer the hon. Member's next question, and he can then ask any supplementary question which he desires to put.
53. Captain COOTEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the appalling situation of ex-service men in Ireland; that these men are boycotted by employers, who dare not give them work; that the unemployment dole is insufficient to support them; that in many cases the right to unemployment pay has been exhausted and that, in consequence, there is grave danger of these men becoming demoralised and seditious; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that those Irishmen, who freely undertook a share in the defence of this country, shall not now be left without care or defence?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am aware that there is a very considerable amount of unemployment among ex-service men in Ireland, and that the problem of the resettlement of ex-service men in industry there has been much accentuated by political causes. Ex-service men in Ireland are, however, at present eligible for out-of-work donation on the same terms and at the same rates as in England. The whole position regarding unemployment in Ireland is engaging the most anxious attention of the Government and my right hon. Friends the Minister for Labour and the Secretary for Ireland are at present consulting as to the best means of dealing with the situation.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that until he gives protection to employers in Ireland who want to employ these ex-service men, no solution can be arrived at?
§ Mr. DEVLINIs not the position of these ex-service men that the Government will do nothing for them at all? Why not frankly admit it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is not so. The Government have already taken exceptional measures.
§ Sir E. CARSONDoes my right hon. Friend include ex-policemen in "exservice men"?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWassented.
§ Mr. DEVLINEx-judges and ex-lawyers?