8. Major NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will inquire into the antecedents and connections of the chief inspector of the Navy and Army Canteen Board in the South of Ireland; are the near relatives of this official known to the Irish Government as leaders in Cork of the Irish Republican movement; has this man free access to every camp and fortress in Ireland; and will be ascertain if he has filled the canteens with young men of military age and revolutionary activities?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Careful inquiry has already been made, and it was found that there was no justification for the suggestion contained in the last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI believe that within his own territorial jurisdiction he has access, but the inquiries made have shown that he is a most honourable and patriotic official.
§ Sir E. CARSONIs the last part of the question true—that he has filled the canteen with young men of military age?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo; that is expressly denied.
§ Colonel McCALMONTIf I send the right hon. Gentleman a case of a man of military age, and believed to be of revolutionary tendencies, and who is in charge of a canteen, will he look into it, and take the necessary steps?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI will look into any particular case the hon. and gallant Gentleman brings before me, but the question is whether this man has filled the canteen with men of military age.
Major NEWMANHave any representations been received from the competent military authority about this man?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI believe so. It is the military authorities who have made the inquiry.