HC Deb 17 November 1920 vol 134 cc1890-1
67. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken to provide relief for the workpeople thrown out of employment by the burning of factories at Baibriggan and Bandon by forces, of the Crown and the printing works at Athlone by persons unknown to the Government?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

This question is transferred to the Minister of Labour, who alone can answer it. I regret that he has left the House.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Baronet taking any interest in the matter in view of the fact that these people are thrown out of employment by his own servants?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

I cannot admit the latter quite unnecessary suggestion. I am doing everything in my power to help the Minister of Labour to come to a conclusion on this and many other cases in Ireland.

Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR

The right hon. Baronet denies that these people have been put out of employment by the action of his servants. Does he suggest that it was anyone but servants of the Crown who wore responsible for the sacking of Balbriggan and the minder of two men there, and the sacking of the printing office at Athlone? If the armed forces of the Crown did not do these things who did them?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

It is impossible for me to say who do all these things in Ireland.

Mr. DEVLIN

Has the right hon. Baronet not admitted that already—

Sir H. GREENWOOD

Balbriggan, yes.

Mr. DEVLIN

That this Balbriggan destruction was carried on by forces of the Crown?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

Yes.

Mr. DEVLIN

And does the right hon. Baronet say now that he cannot say who did it?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

I did not say that. I have already admitted that Balbriggan had many houses destroyed—not sacked—by forces of the Crown, and I had, long before this question was put on the Paper, had negotiations with the Ministry of Labour to see if it is possible to meet cases that arise from this enforced unemployment.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the right hon. Baronet appoint a Committee of Reparation to go into all these cases of destruction of the property of innocent people by forces of the Crown everywhere in Ireland?

Mr. MOLES

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that the question asks whether these were not done by persons unknown to the Crown?

Mr. DEVLIN

He admitted they did it.