HC Deb 14 May 1918 vol 106 c196
39. Sir J. JARDINE

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any official inquiry has been undertaken to ascertain whether, under the auspices of the so-called provisional government of Ulster, or its central authority or any of its committees, in the year 1913, any Germans were employed in Ireland in drilling or equipment of military forces, and to ascertain whether, soon after the landing of arms from Germany at Larne out of the ship "Fanny" from Bremen, Baron von Kühlmann, of the German Embassy in London, and afterwards the Kaiser's Secretary for Foreign Affairs, was present at the celebration in Belfast of the 12th July, 1914, at a review and march of troops not in His Majesty's Service; and, if so, is he prepared to make a statement on the subject?

Mr. PRATT (on behalf of the Chief Secretary for Ireland)

Inquiry has been made and there is no evidence in support of any of the allegations contained in this question.

Mr. ARCHDALE

Is there the slightest suggestion in any quarter that members of the provisional government are not as loyal as the hon. Baronet, and a great deal more so?

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Does the reply state that no German guns were landed in Ireland at this juncture?

Mr. PRATT

I said there was no evidence in support of any of the allegations in the question.