§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary if he would state the date of the circular containing instructions to the Royal Irish Constabulary with reference to the restoration of arms surrendered under the Peace Preservation Act; the date upon which the Irish Government 1420 approved of these instructions; and the date upon which the matter was brought to his notice?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe date of the circular referred to is 1st July, 1910. It was issued by the Inspector-General. The matter was brought to my notice for the first time by its publication in the newspapers.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman explain how it was that he did not hear of this circular until 11th July, ten days after it was issued with the approval of the Irish Government?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIf the hon. Member turns to the Act of Parliament under which these notices were given he will see that it was an administrative matter, and I suppose it was not thought to be of sufficient importance for my attention to be called to it.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked if the Royal Irish Constabulary had received supplementary instructions that firearms surrendered under the Peace Preservation Act were only to be restored to owners who could prove their claim and produce an Excise licence authorising them to bear arms; and whether ammunition and weapons other than firearms were to be restored without any restriction whatever?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs stated by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General, in reply to the hon. Member's question on the 13th instant, firearms voluntarily surrendered will be restored only to owners who can prove their claims and produce an Excise licence. The quantity of weapons other than firearms is very small, and the ammunition is practically valueless.