HC Deb 22 May 1916 vol 82 c1808
59. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make any statement on the secret instructions and the preparations in pursuance of them to disarm the Irish Volunteers or kill them in the attempt, the knowledge of which instructions and preparations precipitated the insurrection in Ireland?

The PRIME MINISTER

Neither the Government nor, so far as I am aware, anyone for whom they are responsible issued any such instructions.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this dangerous instruction, from whatever source, if not from the Government, was not traced to its authors by the Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Government had nothing whatever to do with it.

Mr. GINNELL

If this document was not from the Government, then it was highly criminal, and why was it not traced to its authors?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should be very glad if we could trace it to its authors.