HC Deb 23 October 1941 vol 374 cc1879-80
64. Dr Little

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether, in the interest of the war effort, he will consider making arrangements for the women in Northern Ireland, who are ready to do their utmost, to be provided with war work at home rather than pressing them, in many cases against their will, to engage in such work in Britain, and, failing that, to be deprived of their unemployment benefit?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

As I explained to my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 9th October, the difficult problem of providing more war work for women in Northern Ireland is continuously engaging the attention of the Ministry of Supply and the Government of Northern Ireland. Any question of unemployment benefit there is a matter for the Government of Northern Ireland.

Dr. Little

Is my hon. Friend aware of the strong feeling among women in Northern Ireland against this practice of asking them to go to Britain to do work which they could well do at home if facilities were provided?

Mr. Macmillan

I would ask my hon. Friend to remember that the figures of unemployment in Northern Ireland show an enormous improvement.