§ 2 and 9. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) if the Irish Volunteer officers, who have been under the 1815 special observation of the police during the last six months, were during that time reported to have committed any breach of the law or any word or act objectionable except on political grounds; will he explain why they were not prosecuted by the civil authorities; at whose instance the military authorities have been resorted to for the punishment of political opinion without trial or accusation; and (2) asked the Prime Minister, having regard to the fact that the covenant of the Ulster Volunteers is to resist by force the Government of Ireland Act, 1914, while the object of the Irish Volunteers is to secure and maintain the rights and liberties of all the people of Ireland without distinction, whether the encouragement of the former and the banishment of the latter without accusation or trial constitute the condition on which the present Ministry was formed?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)I will answer Question No 2 and the question addressed to the Prime Minister (No. 9) together.
§ Mr. GINNELLNo. I will postpone No. 9 until Monday.
§ Mr. BIRRELLVery well. I have nothing to add to the previous replies on this subject.
§ Mr. GINNELLAm I not entitled to an answer to the first clause of this question. If these men have been under the supervision of the police for six months have the police reported any criminal offence against them?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has got the best answer that can be given.
§ Mr. KINGMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware of the speech made on this subject by the hon. and learned Member for Cork (Mr. T. M. Healy) last night.
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir.