HC Deb 24 June 1886 vol 307 cc253-4
MR. BIGGAR(for Mr. O'KELLY) (Roscommon, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following paragraph in The Freeman's Journal of 12th June:— Apropos of the 'Civil War' which the Orange leaders threaten to wage at some future date, we would like to know if it is a fact that 23 cases of Nordenfelt cartridges, containing 1,000 each, and consigned to an Irish Peer not unconnected with Orange politics, were detained for two days at Holyhead recently. Furthermore, we would ask the authorities whether, in the absence of a detective who happened to be a Catholic, the cases were removed and forwarded to the consignee, viâ the North Wall; and, whether he will take steps to inform himself what foundation there is for the statement?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. STANSFELD) (Halifax)

(who replied) said: The Irish Government have seen the paragraph referred to. The cartridges were consigned legally to Lord Ardilaun, and the consignment and removal from Holyhead wore with the full knowledge of the authorities. The greater number of the cases contained only 96 cartridges each; the largest not more than 350. It is understood they are intended for private use at Lord Ardilaun's residence in the West of Ireland.

MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)

Have the Government satisfied themselves that Lord Ardilaun intends to use all these 20,000 cartridges?

MR. STANSFELD

I am afraid I cannot do more than read the answer sent to me; but, as I said to the hon. Member a while ago, I will make any inquiry he wishes.