§ Mr. MacVEAGHI wish to ask the Chief Secretary a question of which I have given him private notice. It is whether his attention has been called to certain paragraphs which have appeared in the English provincial newspapers to the following effect: "Trustworthy information reached Belfast yesterday that the Irish Police have ascertained that a cargo of arms and ammunition was recently landed at one of the small fishing ports in South Down. The gun-running vessel, a small schooner, ostensibly coal-laden from a North of England port, went ashore, the coastguards assisting the crew to land, but later, under cover of darkness, the contraband goods were landed, the ship's boat making several journeys to the stranded vessel?"
§ Mr. BIRRELLUntil the hon. Member called my attention to these paragraphs I had heard nothing of the tidings they contain, but on making inquiries I have received the following report from the county inspector:—"No foundation for report. A small schooner, property of James MacVeagh, went ashore twenty 1391 yards north-east of Kilkeel pier while proceeding to Annalong to load. She has become a total wreck. No arms landed from her or any other vessel around the coast of this county."