§ 32. Mr. DONALDasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of people drawing out-of-work donation in Belfast during the months of July, August, and September, respectively; and how many in each case were ex-service men?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)The numbers of persons drawing out-of-work donation at Belfast at the end of July, August, and September respectively were 2,975, 3,433, and 2,519; except for a few merchant seamen, numbering less than 50, these were all ex-members of the Forces.
§ Mr. DONALDMay I ask whether there has been any extension of the scope of this donation to other than ex-service men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANot to my knowledge. The present out-of-work donation is for ex-service men and women and merchant seamen only.
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask whether the employees in the shipyards, sent from their work for political reasons, are being paid out-of-work donation now, and especially whether ox-service men, who are being driven out for political or religious reasons are receiving it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not know anything about political or religious reasons. An ex-service man thrown out of employment gets his out-of-work donation under the rules.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre non-ex-service men who have been driven out of employment for political reasons being paid the out of-work donation?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe hon. and gallant Gentleman did not hoar my previous reply, in which I said that the out-of-work donation applies to ex-service men and women and merchant seamen and not civilians.
§ Mr. SWANCan the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage of the men out of work is due to the army of occupation in Ireland?