§ 16. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has yet discovered who burnt the Athlone printing works on the 3rd November last; and whether he will state why the police were unable to give effect to the assurance of future protection given by General Tudor to the brother of the proprietor of the Athlone printing works after the previous attempt to burn them down on 18th October last?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood)I am informed that inquiries into this matter are still proceeding, but that no clue has yet been obtained as to the perpetrators of the outrage. In regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, the police and military are doing their best to protect all innocent persons and their properties.
§ Mr. DEVLINWho is making these inquiries?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe officials who are responsible to me in this House.
§ Mr. DEVLINAre those the gentlemen who burned the premises down?
§ Mr. MOSLEYIs it not the case that a specific assurance of protection was given to the owner of these works in October last, and will the right hon. Gentleman state why effect was not given to that assurance?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe obvious answer is that it is extremely difficult to protect all persons and all property in Ireland at one and the same time.
§ Mr. DEVLINWould it not be better to get these military forces which are perambulating the country, and indiscriminately shooting, to protect the property of law-abiding citizens?