§ 47. Mr. NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the military heads of the Irish National Volunteer Force have stated that the policy that the force has in view is the policy of separation from Great Britain advocated by Wolfe Tone and the leaders of the Fenian movements in 1848 and 1867, while other civilian members of the committee charged with directing the Volunteer movement have stated that the object in view is the prevention of further change in the Government of Ireland Bill, while he himself contemplates the future existence of the force on constitutional lines, he will take an early opportunity of stating the view held by the Government as to the future status and sphere of activity to be allowed to the Volunteer movement?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I am not aware of any authoritative statements of the kind mentioned in the question, nor do I know who would be authorised to make them. In any event, the subject is not one which can be adequately dealt with by question and answer.
§ Mr. NEWMANIs not the Prime Minister still hopeful that the position of this Volunteer force may be made constitutional?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWell, Sir, I hope so.
49. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the Prime Minister if it will be within the power of an Irish Parliament, if established, to maintain a Volunteer force out of public moneys; and if such expendi- 529 ture was contemplated in adjusting the financial relations of the United Kingdom and Ireland under the Government of Ireland Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Member will refer to Clause 2 (3) and Clause 21 of the Government of Ireland Bill, he will find his question answered.
§ Mr. SHERWELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland a question of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether it is a fact that Lieut.-General Sir George Richardson has issued an order to the Ulster Volunteer Force granting permission to carry arms openly and to resist attempts at interference; whether such an order is not contrary to law; and what steps, if any, the Government propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have made careful inquiry from the Commissioner of Police in Belfast, and he tells me that he does not think any policeman interfered in the manner alleged in the newspapers. In the present state of this controversy, I do not think any action on the part of the Government would be wise.
§ Mr. SHERWELLArising out of that answer, is the House to understand that the Executive in Ireland propose to take no action in regard to this matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes, I think that the hon. Member will understand that it must always be a matter of discretion whether the Government should take a number of proceedings, even though there should be admitted breaches of the law. Such cases will occur to the mind of everybody who thinks of them.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas my right hon. Friend's attention been called to a statement made in another place by Lord Mayo that it was not until he came to London that he heard that civil war was going to take place?
Mr. NEIL PRIMROSECan my right hon. Friend give any indication how the Irish Government have shown any signs of existence at all?