§ 101. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities empowered to administer the Defence of the Realm Act are required to make themselves acquainted with its terms; if so, will he say on what part of the Act they rely in discriminating between different portions of the United Kingdom by seizing and confiscating on their arrival in Ireland newspapers allowed to be published and circulated in Great Britain; if he will say how many newspapers besides that called "The Worker" are treated in this manner; and whether this discrimination in administration is to be continued?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe Regulations made under the Defence of the Realm Act are in force generally, and the competent military authorities have of course made themselves acquainted with those Regulations. But the responsibility for action must necessarily be decentralised and action in any locality must be determined by conditions prevailing at the moment. If any acts of illegality were alleged it would be investigated and, if proved, redressed.
§ Mr. GINNELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman not deny that papers circulated in Great Britain are seized on their arrival in Ireland?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not admit anything of the kind. But if the hon. Gentleman will bring to my notice any fact for which he can vouch I will, of course, have it investigated. But I am not aware of the practice at present.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe fact is in the question on the Paper.