HC Deb 22 May 1922 vol 154 cc845-6W
Mr. DEVLIN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether, out of the moneys which have been voted for the relief of victims of persecution in Ireland, grants will be made to the Catholic families who have been evicted from their homes in Crumlin Road and other districts of Belfast; is he aware that these Catholic families were ordered out of their homes by gunmen at a moment's notice; that they were attacked and fired upon when trying to remove their furniture, and in some cases the furniture was burned or stolen; and whether these victims of religious persecution will be recompensed for disturbance from their homes and loss of property;

(2) whether, out of the moneys which have been allocated for the relief of distress in Northern Ireland, it is the intention to make grants to widows and orphans and dependants of those who have lost their lives since the outbreak of these attacks; and whether instructions to this effect will be given to the Committee who will be dealing with the allocation of these moneys?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The sum of £500,000 for relief work in Northern Ireland referred to in the agreement between the two Irish Governments is to be administered by the Ministry of Labour for Northern Ireland, subject to the proviso that one-third is to be expended for the benefit of Roman Catholics and two-thirds for the benefit of Protestants; and any question as to the administration of this grant should therefore he addressed by the hon. Member to the Minister of Labour in the Parliament of Northern Ireland.

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