§ 48. Mr. DEVLINasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Marquess of Londonderry, aide-de-camp to His Majesty the King, was present at a review of the Ulster Volunteers at Balmoral, Belfast, on the 23rd September, 1913; whether, at Ormiston, Belfast, on the 17th January last, the Marquess of Londonderry was present at another parade of the Ulster Volunteers; whether the Marquess of Londonderry was present on the 13th April last at a review of the Ulster Volunteers at Antrim Castle; whether he was present again at a review of the Ulster Volunteers at Clandeboye, county Down, on the 14th April last; whether the Marquess of Londonderry was present at a parade of the Ulster Volunteers at Glencairn, Belfast, on the 6th June last, and at another parade of the same force at Balmoral, Belfast, on the same day; whether the avowed object of the Ulster Volunteers is, in the event of the enactment of the Government of Ireland Bill, to resist by armed force the authority of the Crown and Parliament and to make the administration of the law impossible; whether the Marquess of Londonderry has been called on for an explanation of his conduct in attending these parades and reviews; whether any reprimand has been addressed to him; and, if not, will he say why this has not been done, and whether there is any special reason why the Marquess of Londonderry should be treated differently in this matter from Captain Bellingham, aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was called upon for an explanation for having attended and spoken at a meeting of the Irish Volunteers?
§ Mr. RONALD M'NEILLBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask whether he is aware that on every occasion mentioned in the question as having been attended by the Marquess of Londonderry the National Anthem was played, cheers were given for His Majesty, and the Union Jack was displayed; and whether he can say 29 whether similar expressions of loyalty were given at the meeting attended by Captain Bellingham?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no knowledge which would enable me to answer the supplementary question without notice. In answer to the question on the Paper I have not verified the statements of my hon. Friend as regards the presence of Lord Londonderry at these reviews, but I have no reason to doubt their accuracy. I would, however, point out that there are more than seventy aides-de-camp to the King, and that the office, unlike that of an acting aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, does not normally carry with it any active duties or responsibilities. The duties are, as a rule, of an entirely honorary character, and, in the circumstances, I have not thought it worth while to take any notice of the matter.
§ Mr. RONALD M'NEILLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has any reason to suppose that in any case Lord Londonderry would care a straw? [Interruption.]
§ 49. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the appeal recently issued by the hon. and learned Member for Waterford to his sympathisers in the United States, both Irish and American, urging them to supply funds to strengthen the Irish National Volunteers, so as to place them in the position of an armed fighting force; and whether he will inform the House what steps he proposes to take to meet this new danger to the peace of this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer answered on my behalf a very similar question on Thursday last, and I would refer the hon. and learned Member to that reply.
§ Mr. BUTCHERIn view of the answer now made, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he intends to take any steps to suppress these admitted illegalities?
The PRIME MINSTERThe answer to which I referred was:—
The Proclamation as to the importation of arms and ammunition applies to Ireland generally, and steps, which he hopes will be effective, are being taken for its enforcement.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWhat steps are proposed to be taken?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my right hon. Friend aware that an agent of the right hon. and learned Member for Dublin University was also in America collecting subscriptions?
§ 50. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether he will point to the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill which prohibit the Irish Parliament from expending on the maintenance of the Irish National Volunteers such part as they may think fit of the sum of £2,700,000 per annum to be provided by the British Exchequer and to be paid over to the Irish Exchequer under that Bill; and whether he will state what effective steps can be taken by the Imperial Parliament under the Government of Ireland Bill or otherwise to prevent such an expenditure of British money after it has been paid over to the Irish Exchequer?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer the hon. Member to Clauses 2 (3) and 21 of the Government of Ireland Bill.
§ Mr. BUTCHERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Clause 2 (3) only refers to legislation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERExecutive authority and legislative authority.
§ Mr. BUTCHERMay I ask how you propose to coerce the Executive of the Irish Parliament. May I ask for an answer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for Debate.