§ 63. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will give the total number by which the Customs staff in Ire land has been increased since 4th December last, stating the number appointed to the Leinster, Munster, and Connaught coast lines and the Ulster coast line east and west of Moville, respectively; and whether he can now state, in the public interest, the total number of military as distinguished from sporting and other guns detained by the Customs authorities during the same period?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt would not be in the public interest to give the information which the hon. Member desires.
§ 64. Mr. TOUCHEasked whether, in making appointments of Customs and Excise officers to Ulster stations in connection with the Arms Proclamations, any in quiries were made as to whether such officers were or were not in sympathy with the Ulster Volunteer movement; whether any difficulty, similar to that which arose in the Army, was experienced in obtaining officers for this service; and whether any 1862 objections were raised by members of the Board of Customs and Excise in connection therewith?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe answer to all parts of the question is in the negative.