§ Mr. LOUGHI desire to ask the Prime Minister a question of which I have given him private notice: Whether it is true that large quantities of rifles and ammunition were surreptitiously landed at various ports in the north of Ireland on Friday night and Saturday morning, and whether the wires of telegraphic and telephonic communication were tampered with so as to prevent communication, and cordons of armed persons drawn around the harbours in the towns in which the landing took place so as to prevent free entrance or egress; and, if so, what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe the statements in the first three parts of the question to be accurate. The right hon. Gentleman asked me what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter. Well, Sir, in view of this grave and unprecedented outrage, the House may be assured that His Majesty's Government will take, without delay, appropriate steps to vindicate the authority of the law and protect officers and servants of the King and His Majesty's subjects in the exercise of their duties and in the enjoyment of their legal rights.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs it a fact that a coastguardsman died in the performance of his duty?
§ The PRIME MINISTERassented.