§ MR. DONAL SULLIVAN) (Westmeath, S.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the Custom House Authorities at Belfast have seized and detained two dummy swords forwarded by Messrs. Goff, of Covent Garden, London, to Mr. John Quirke, of Dungannon, who had ordered them for the purposes of a local dramatic entertainment; if Mr. Quirke informed the Local Constabulary, and also the Custom House Authorities, the purpose for which these swords were required; and if there is anything in the regulations made under the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act which, under the circumstances, prevent the delivery of these swords to the consignee; and, if not, whether they shall be forthwith delivered?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY TOE IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I am informed that the swords referred to are not dummy swords, but disused cavalry swords. They were detained in the usual course by the regulations under the statute quoted, which require any consignment of arms to be so labelled, and a written notice of the consignment to be given to the Custom Authorities had not been complied with. The Constabulary Authorities thereupon communicated with Mr. Quirke, who then informed them, as indicated in the second paragraph of the question. They pointed out to him the necessary course to pursue to obtain the arms. Upon that course being complied with the arms will be delivered to him.