Mr Michael O'Neill: asked the Secretary of State for War the purpose of the mobilisation of British Armed Forces in Ulster on the 5th and 6th of March; and what action was taken by these Forces.
Mr Michael O'Neill: Is the Secretary of State for War aware that it was authoritatively stated that in order to protect British military installations the Six County Government ordered the mobilisation of B men, with orders to fire on any motorist who failed to stop within a reasonable distance, and as a result of that one man was shot dead and two others were seriously injured? Will he indicate why it was...
Mr Michael O'Neill: Who shot them?
Mr Michael O'Neill: The argument in favour of this increase of£10,000 is that previous Governors indicated that they had been extensively out of pocket. In listening to the hon. Member for Antrim, South (Sir D. Savory) I gathered that that was the only real point which he made in support of the increase. He mentioned that Lord Granville, who was the present Governor's predecessor, made no secret of the fact...
Mr Michael O'Neill: No; I think my interpretation of the reply which the Minister gave on Second Reading was that this£10,000 would not be subject to Income Tax, and that only the£4,000 salary would be subject to Income Tax in the ordinary way. I understand that this£10,000 is to be solely for expenses, and that it will not in any manner be subject to Income Tax. Here again, the Government have set a very...
Mr Michael O'Neill: We are assuming that he will open Orange lodges.
Mr Michael O'Neill: The Governor may take a trip to America, and we know perfectly well that, if he goes to America, it will be a propaganda trip in support of the Tory Party in the Six Counties. Will that sort of expenditure rank for recoupment out of the£10,000? If so, we think it is very unfair. Another difficulty will be to determine the expenses of the household at Hills-borough which will rank as...
Mr Michael O'Neill: When the Governor was appointed, was he aware that he would be out of pocket?
Mr Michael O'Neill: The shipyard workers are not the only people.
Mr Michael O'Neill: Will the hon. Gentleman explain the rule about the "bad record of unemployment"?
Mr Michael O'Neill: One point which has been overlooked is that before we call on the people of this country to put their hands in their pockets and make such an enormous contribution of taxpayers' money, we should consider whether the expenditure of such money is really appreciated by the people. I know Northern Ireland possibly better than any other hon. Member in the Committee. I know the feelings of the...
Mr Michael O'Neill: The point I want to make, with due respect, is that before we vote money out of the taxpayers' pockets we must take into consideration the ability of people to pay that taxation. It must be borne in mind that we are direct taxpayers to the British Exchequer. This Parliament still controls five-sixths of the expenditure and the total revenue in Northern Ireland, and we must be regarded as...
Mr Michael O'Neill: In my opinion, the salary of the Governor which is being asked for is unjustified if it takes the place of other reliefs which we hold would be justified and which we have a right to demand of this Parliament. I suggest that if I am not in order altogether I am very near to being in order. I have heard references to the office of the Governor. I have even heard it suggested that the expenses...
Mr Michael O'Neill: If we are to allow the Governor £10,000 expenses, and if we are to assume that half of those expenses is for protecting the people from certain abuses, if that is part of the office of Governor, we want to know whether the Governor is in a position to give that protection, and whether he will give it.
Mr Michael O'Neill: Take, for example, the position in Enniskillen. It was a peaceful assembly. It was the occasion of an ordinary—
Mr Michael O'Neill: But Enniskillen has quite a lot to do with the Governor. In any case, if this Parliament is in a position to extend this charity towards Northern Ireland, it should be extended to those institutions to which the people would like it to be extended. Take, for example, the Mater Hospital, in Belfast—
Mr Michael O'Neill: According to the relationships between this Parliament and the Parliament of Northern Ireland, there is a guarantee that the social services will be maintained on an equal parity.
Mr Michael O'Neill: I must give way on that, but there is another point on which I have to be satisfied. How will this money be spent? Presumably, a lot of the £10,000 for expenses will be spent on entertainment. The people of Northern Ireland see very little of this entertainment. In fact, I honestly believe that these afternoon tea parties and social events are merely recruiting material for the Tory Party...
Mr Michael O'Neill: The hon. Member says there is democracy in Northern Ireland. Does he agree that democracy exists in local government areas in Northern Ireland?
Mr Michael O'Neill: If the hon. Member argues that democracy exists, how can he explain that the constituencies of Mid-Ulster and of Fermanagh and South Tyrone have county councils which have a substantial majority of the Unionist Party and yet have returned two Members to this House? Can he explain that?
