HC Deb 13 July 1910 vol 19 cc369-71
Mr. LONSDALE

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Royal Irish Constabu- lary have received instructions to restore to the owners or their legal representatives arms and ammunition retained by them under the Peace Preservation Act; and whether, having regard to the increase in the number of shooting outrages in Ireland within recent months, he will state the reasons which have led the Executive at the present juncture to issue this instruction?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

I only heard of this matter two days ago. I have no doubt that there is general agreement throughout Ireland that the last thing it now required is a further distribution of firearms. The fact that the weapons referred to in the question are old and worthless, and only dangerous to the men who try to use them, mitigates but does not remove this objection. The object of the Inspector-General in suggesting the removal of the arms voluntarily surrendered under the Peace Preservation Act from the depot, Phoenix Park, where they are at present stored, is that they occupy three squad-rooms, which are badly wanted for the accommodation of the reserve and recruits in residence, some of whom are now forced to use their dormitories as mess-rooms. It is not proposed to restore arms seized or forfeited, but arms voluntarily surrendered are held in trust by the Constabulary and cannot be got rid of without giving the registered owners an opportunity of claiming them. Such arms will only be restored to owners who can prove their claim and produce an Excise licence authorising them to bear arms. The cost of the licence—about 10s.—is vastly more than most of the weapons are worth. I do not think any further danger attaches to what is proposed, but I will watch it carefully.

Mr. LONSDALE

If the right hon. Gentleman considers these arms to be obsolete, will the Chief Secretary allow them to be tested practically with himself as a target? Why were the arms retained after the lapse of the Peace Preservation Act?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, these arms were voluntarily surrendered, and the owners are bound to get an opportunity of reclaiming them.

Mr. LONSDALE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say the number of arms that were in the custody of the police and the counties in which these arms were surrendered?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

I should like to have notice of that question.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is it a fact that many of these weapons have been stored by the Government for twenty-five years, and that they are not worth the cost of storage?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

The view is that they are for the most part worthless, and they have been in possession of the constabulary for a great number of years.

Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of presenting them as a job lot to the Orange lodges of Ulster?