§ 40. Sir MAURICE DOCKRELLasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that in Ireland trade-union opposition to the employment of ex-service men is as strong as in Great Britain, and that ex-service men have in Ireland to encounter a further difficulty in finding employment due to their having fought in the War; and will he, in view of the high percentage of unemployment in their ranks, secure employment for them in Ireland upon reconstructive work or, in default of such employment, provide Government or other employment in this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware of the special difficulties which affect ex-service men in Ireland in the matter of finding employment. The Government has already granted a considerable sum for the purpose of meeting these difficulties, and the whole question is now under further consideration.
§ Captain REDMONDHave the Government done anything whatsoever 1030 to redeem their promise to start reconstruction works, and thus provide employment for ex-soldiers in Ireland?
§ Captain W. BENNHow many men who fought in the War, like Mr. Barton, have been locked up by the Chief Secretary for Ireland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that a grant of £250,000 has been placed at the disposal of the Chief Secretary for the employment of ex-soldiers on works of public utility.
§ Captain REDMONDHas any of this money been expended? Have any works been embarked upon?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAlmost the whole amount has been spent.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat! I never heard of it. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what has been done with the money?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am sorry if the hon. Member has not heard of it. A great deal of the money was spent in Belfast.
§ Mr. DEVLINI speak only for ex-soldiers in Belfast. I addressed a meeting of them recently, and they have heard nothing of it.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not indulge in personal reminiscences.
§ 50. Captain REDMONDasked the Prime Minister if he can state the proportion of ex-service men out of employment in Great Britain and Ireland respectively at the present time?
§ 118. Sir M. DOCKRELLasked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage of unemployment amongst ex-service men in Ireland and what in Great Britain; and how many ex-service men are in receipt of out-of-work donation in Ireland and how many in England?
§ The MINISTER OF LABOUR (Sir R. Horne)I have been asked to reply to these questions. The total number of ex-service men demobilised in the United Kingdom since the date of the Armistice is 3,863,392, of whom 339,294, or 8.8 per cent., were claiming out-of-work donation on February 6th. Of the 339,204 claiming donation, 27,648 were in Ireland, 273,458 in England, 7,288 in Wales, and 30,900 in Scotland. As many Irishmen now in Ireland were recruited and demobilised in 1031 England and Scotland, it is impossible to give the percentages asked.
§ Captain REDMONDHave the same steps been been taken in Ireland to obtain employment for ex-service men as have been taken in this country?
§ Sir R. HORNESteps have been taken in both countries in accordance with the expediency of the situation. We have done in both countries the best we could under the circumstances.
§ Captain REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, owing to the fact of Ireland not being an industrial country to the same extent as this country, the difficulties of obtaining employment are greater, and if that is the case will he think fit to increase the grant which has been made and which the Chief Secretary tells us has already been expended in Belfast and elsewhere?
§ Mr. HAILWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of men have been unable to obtain employment in Ireland because they have served in the war?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe difficulties in Ireland are of a different kind from what they are in this country, partly owing to the cause which has just been suggested, but we have met the situation, looking to the circumstances in which we found ourselves, in the best way we could.
§ Captain REDMONDNot mindful of the cause of it, though I disagree with that statement, is it not a fact that the difficulties are greater in Ireland, and if they are should not the State come more to the aid of the ex-Irish volunteer than to the aid of the British conscript?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe difficulties are different in kind, and if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will have it, greater, owing to circumstances which most of us regret. We have done our best in the circumstances, and Ireland has had a special grant, owing to her particular circumstances, which has not been given to Great Britain.
§ Mr. DEVLINHas the Department any knowledge of the manner in which this £200,000 has been distributed?
§ Sir R. HORNEIt has not been my business, of course, to supervise the dis- 1032 tribution of that particular sum. It has been in far more capable hands than mine.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us whose are the capable hands, so that we may ask a question, though we may not get an answer?
§ 71. Captain REDMONDasked the proportion of ex-Service men in Ireland who have been found employment by the Ministry of Pensions and the Ministry of Labour, respectively
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Ministry of Pensions have no responsibility for placing men in employment. Between the Armistice and the 6th February (the last date for which figures are available) the Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour placed in employment in Ireland 8,610 ex-Service men.