§ 10. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can give figures showing what progress has been made in settling ex-service men on the land in Ireland; and what further number of men it is hoped will be provided with holdings in the immediate future?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Macpherson)On untenanted 1500 land acquired by the Estates Commissioners for purposes of distribution under the Irish Land Acts, 1903–9, 71 men who had served in the War, and who came within one or other of the classes of persons to whom untenanted land may be allotted under these Acts, have been provided with holdings. Under the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, the Commissioners are in negotiation for the purchase of some 2,000 acres and are in communication with owners of other lands. At this stage of the proceedings it is not possible to state how much of these lands may be acquired or how many ex-Service men can be provided with holdings. 5,730 applications have so far been received from ex-Service men for cottages and plots. The work of investigating these applications in different parts of the country is proceeding, and ten schemes providing accommodation for about 300 men are before the Local Government Board for consideration.
§ Mr. TURTONIs it not a fact that Captain Shawe Taylor put an ex-service man on his land and was foully and cruelly murdered in consequence?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.
§ Captain REDMONDWhat information has the Government given to ex-Service men in Ireland as to the procedure which they should adopt in order to make application?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think that all ex-Service men have been informed. The very fact that 5,730 applications have been received and are now being considered shows that these men are aware of it.
§ Captain REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have numerous letters from men asking as to whom they should make application, so that I do not think they have the information?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am glad that my hon. and gallant Friend asked me that, because I should like all these men in Ireland-to know that applications should be sent in to the Local Government Board.
§ Sir M. DOCKRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a much larger number of recruits in Ireland came from the towns, and that the more urgent necessity 1501 is to provide for the men in the towns? The Chief Secretary will probably be able to indorse that, as it is known that the farmers came up very badly.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am quite aware that a larger percentage did come from the towns. Of course the Government could not intervene to help these men in the same way as they could intervene where agriculture was concerned, because a body existed already in Ireland under the Government. We are doing our best to meet all cases, and as the House knows, recently the Minister of Labour was able to get an additional £100,000 to meet the case of these men recruited in the towns.
§ Mr. DEVLINCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many ex-service men in Ulster have secured land?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI could not say off-hand. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.
§ Captain REDMONDMay I ask whether, if an ex-service man in Ireland resides in a town, it precludes him from getting land?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNot at all. Under this Act any ex-service men who were in the Air Force, the Navy or the Army, whether they reside in the country or in the town, would be accepted.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhy should special privileges be given to ex-service men in agricultural districts and no compensating benefit given to ex-service men in towns?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have just said that the Government are enabled by various Acts in existence to help men in rural districts much more than they are able to help those in cities. We are doing our level best for all.