§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the register of unemployed in Dublin numbers 2,128, with dependants of about 4,250 persons; whether he is aware that the distress committee have not received the share of money voted by Parliament for work under the Unemployment Act, 1905; whether he can state the amount allocated to Ireland from the National Relief Fund, and how it is to be administered; and whether, in view of the need in Dublin, he will arrange for a grant to be given to the distress committee?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of unemployed who have registered with the Labour Exchange in Dublin in October was 1,622 as compared with 2,419 at the corresponding period of last year. The works committee of the Dublin Relief Committee have reported to the Local 1345W Government Board that owing to the number of Reservists who have been called to the Colours and recruits who have enlisted, and also to the exceptionally good conditions existing temporarily in the building trade caused by the War Office contracts for encampments, and to the large number of workers employed as grooms, carters, etc., unemployment is at present considerably less than usual for this season of the year. The Local Government Board have, therefore, suggested to the distress committee the expediency of deferring the opening of their works till later in the year. It is not possible to make a definite allocation to Ireland from the Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund, as the amount which will be advanced to Irish local representative committees must depend entirely upon the extent to which Irish trade and Irish industries may hereafter be affected by the War.