§ Mr. MOSLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an attack was made on the Athlone Printing Works on 18th October last, which was the subject of a complaint by Mr. W. Chapman, brother of the proprietor, to General Tudor; whether Mr. Chapman received an assurance from General Tudor's secretary that protection would be afforded to the works, and subsequently a letter from the same officer to the effect that the damage done was not the work of the police; and whether these printing works were burned down in spite of this assurance by armed forces of the Crown on 3rd November last?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am informed that complaint was made and an assurance given as stated. Inquiries are still proceeding with a veiw to discover the authors of these outrages, but no evidence has so far been forthcoming to connect any members of the Crown Forces with the damage committed on either of the dates mentioned in the hon. Member's question. Unfortunately, inquiries of this kind are rendered extremely difficult by the unwillingness of the local people to assist the police in their investigations.
1383W
§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of printing-trade workers in Athlone have been thrown out of employment owing to the burning down of the printing works; what steps he proposes to take to see that adequate maintenance is provided for these workers; and whether it is proposd to make provision for all workers in Ireland who are thrown out of employment by reason of national disturbance?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Barnard Castle Division (Mr. Swan), a copy of which I am sending him.