§ 70. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether No. 12 of the official "Weekly Summary" sent out to police and military barracks in Ireland contains statements of the decisions taken by the Cork and Lisburn branches of the so-called Anti-Sinn Fein Society stating that if any member of His Majesty's Forces be murdered two members of the Sinn Fein party in the County of Cork will be killed, and in the event of a member of the Sinn Fein party not being available three sympathisers will be killed; that in the event of a member of His Majesty's Forces being wounded, or an attempt made to wound him, one member of the Sinn Fein party will be killed, or if not available two sympathisers will be killed; and who was responsible for publishing this in an official publication?
In putting this question, might I ask for a little courtesy from the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThose who ask for courtesy should show some.
§ 72. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a "Weekly Summary" is circulated to the police and auxilliary police stationed in Ireland with the authority of any Government officials; who is the editor of this publication, who are the contractors, and whether it has any printer's imprint; whether it is printed at the public cost; and, if so, under what Vote the expense will appear?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI will answer these questions together. I would refer to the reply given to questions on this subject asked by the hon. Members for the Spennymoor Division of Durham (Mr. Galbraith) and for Edinburgh East (Mr. Hogge) on Monday last.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask whether this statement is correct? May I have an answer, Yes or No? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to continue this publication, paid for by the Government, every copy of which is an incitement to assassinate civilians in Ireland?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI deny that monstrous allegation. I do intend to continue this "Summary."
§ Mr. HOGGEIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman said this was published for the purpose of this force, and in view of the recent exhibition of feeling, will the right hon. Gentleman himself take a little trouble to see that anything which provokes further murders or reprisals is excluded from it?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI will see what I can do to give some personal supervision to this paper, but I cannot promise to read the proofs of this paper. I am convinced it serves a useful purpose to a sorely tried force.
§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman have copies of this paper put regularly in the library of this House, so that hon. Members can judge for themselves?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI answered that question yesterday.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat is the necessity for this paper being published at the public expense? Why should the Black and Tans have a special organ of their own to incite them to greater misdeeds?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs it a fact that this paper, which is issued by the Government at Dublin Castle, a fortnight ago called upon Black and Tans to "produce an appropriate hell in Ireland," and does the right hon. Gentleman think that a proper publication to be issued under Government orders?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIt is a fact.