SUPPLY—REPORT. (Hansard, 9 September 1886)

§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W., and Sligo, S.)
Sir, I wish to ascertain, from the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for War, what are the conditions and terms upon which ammunition is supplied from Her Majesty's stores to certain registered Rifle Clubs in Ireland, and especially in the town of Belfast? Recent events compelled me to make particular inquiries into the subject, and the result of my investigations led me to believe that the Secretary of what is known as a Registered Rifle Club, in Ireland, has only to send a request to a keeper of Her Majesty's ammunition stores in order to obtain as much ammunition as he wants at the cost of production. I am informed that the local clubs are supplied in this way with gunpowder. I need scarcely tell the right hon. Gentleman that there are no Nationalists in these clubs, which are composed only of persons of one creed and one political conviction; and when it is considered that the people of Ireland are debarred by legislative enactment from carrying arms, it becomes a serious question whether the money which the taxpayers supply for the Military Service of the Queen should be used in arming and supplying ammunition at cost price to a privileged class of persons; and, not only that, it is a serious question for the taxpayer, and also for the ordinary trader, because in Belfast there are persons who have to pay for licences to the Crown for selling ammunition, and these persons are undersold by the system I have described. There is a well-founded impression also that ammunition was recently procured from the Queen's stores in Ireland, and used in the streets of Belfast for the purposes of riot and murder. The right hon. Gentleman is aware that on two Sunday mornings, the 8th and 15th of August, there was a fusillade maintained in the Springfield quarter of the town, of which Inspector Warburton and his constables were the object. They were in a field in the suburb, and it was fortunate for them that they were able to get behind a pile of bricks there, because they were fired upon, and it was 1857 only in that way that they escaped death. It was observed that the men firing at them were excellent marksmen, and they were able to satisfy themselves that the ammunition was of excellent quality. I think the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for War could not do better than send to Belfast to inquire into this matter. I want to know how it is that Rifle Clubs of this sort get into relations with Her Majesty's Government? Again, how many clubs of this kind are there in Ireland; and what is the number of their members? It will be a serious question if it should turn out that not only ordinary citizens, but the Queen's soldiers and the police, are to be fired at and shot down on strictly economical principles with ammunition supplied at cost price. I think, as the people of Ireland generally are disarmed, that if there is a special class in Ireland privileged to bear arms, the least we can ask is that they should buy their ammunition at the ordinary price and in the ordinary way. I strongly object to any exception being made in these respects in favour of Belfast. I object also to the officers of the Army and Militia assisting the members of these Rifle Clubs with their instruction and advice, as well as to the clubs using the Government rifle ranges. I shall not be contradicted when I say that the use and profession of arms in Belfast is quite as extensive as it need be, without these clubs having the priviledge of getting the Queen's ammunition in the manner I have described. If it be proved that this system really exists, I certainly intend to bring forward a Motion in this House with the object of putting an end to it.

§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)
I rise to give such information as I have been able to obtain in reply to the inquiries made since the hon. Member for West Belfast was good enough to inform me of his intention to bring this subject forward. I find it has been the practice for many years past to supply Government ammunition to some clubs in Ireland upon payment, and after application has been made to the Lord Lieutenant. The officers in the Army have themselves no discretion in the matter. The Regulation appears to have been laid down in the distant past 1858 by the Government in Ireland. I was myself entirely ignorant of the fact—I assume it to be a fact—to which the hon. Gentleman refers, that the practice of the clubs has at any time been carried on at the Government ranges with the assistance of sergeants of the Army or Militia. If the hon. Member will allow this portion of the subject to stand over till to-morrow I will endeavour to communicate to him the result of my inquiries into the matter.

§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)
Many persons are acquainted with the fact that up to as recent a date as 1885 not only has ammunition been supplied to favoured persons in the North of Ireland, but that arms have been sent from the Government stores to the North. This practice of supplying favoured persons in the North of Ireland has been going on ever since the Union; and that, too, not only at less than the cost of production, but altogether without payment. I consider it monstrous that this state of things should be allowed to continue; and I think this House ought to be thankful to the hon. Member for West Belfast (Mr. Sexton) for having brought the matter under our cognizance. When we remember the disloyal expressions of those to whom these arms and ammunition of war have been supplied; when we remember the incitements that have been addressed to them; when we know that they have indulged in such expressions as that they would "kick the Queen's Crown into the Boyne;" and when we know that they have used these munitions of war for offensive purposes, I think we are greatly indebted to the hon. Member for having drawn the attention of the Secretary of State for War to this fact. Now, I was greatly struck by one portion of the hon. Member's statement, and that was with regard to Sub-Inspector Warburton and the constables. It would be a very deplorable fact if it should be proved that these men were injured in the performance of their duty, and that by weapons and missiles obtained from the Government stores under such peculiar circumstances; and I am glad to hear from the right hon Gentleman that he will inquire into the circumstances with a view of putting a stop to this very reprehensible practice. If Rifle Clubs in the North of Ireland are to be indulged in the use of arms, let them pay for it 1859 themselves; and I believe the statement which my hon. Friend has made will have the effect of checking the facilities which have been afforded to them for getting their ammunition at the cost of the nation.

§ MR. SEXTON
I am satisfied for the present, and have no further opposition to offer to the Resolution before the House.