§ 72. Mr. Prenticeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce plans to relieve unemployment in Northern Ireland, following the meetings which have recently taken place in London between members of the Northern Ireland Government and himself.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerHer Majesty's Ministers reaffirmed at this meeting their policy of giving all possible support to the efforts of the Northern Ireland Government to deal with unemployment and undertook to pursue vigorously all existing measures to combat it. On the suggestion of the Northern Ireland Government a further study is to be undertaken by the two Governments of ways and means of securing permanent improvement.
§ 73. Mr. Prenticeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he refused to see a deputation of trade unionists from Northern Ireland who came to London to see him on Friday, 17th March, in connection with his talks with the Northern Ireland Government, to discuss the unemployment situation 64W there, and the further increase in unemployment which will arise from the decision of Messrs. Harland and Wolff to lay off several thousand men during the next two months.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI did not find it possible to interrupt my engagements to see this deputation at very short notice. While taking into account the limits within which they have responsibility in these matters I should like to make it clear that Her Majesty's Ministers are of course always glad to receive, through the normal channels, the views of oraganised labour on unemployment problems.