§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any information with regard to the alleged burning by forces of the Crown of a large shop, a club-house, and several dwelling houses in the City of Cork on Friday night last; whether it is true, as stated, that police prevented the extinction of the flames at the point of the revolver; and whether the burnings are still being continued?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood)I am informed that several Sinn Fein halls, a large shop, and several dwelling houses were burned down in Cork on Friday night. The police do not know by whom this was done. The suggestion that the police prevented the extinction of the flames at the point of the revolver is absolutely without foundation. They gave every assistance in their power, and were, 913 I am informed, complimented by the fire brigade for the assistance that they gave. They also prevented looting. Last night, at 11.30, the Irish Transport Workers' Hall in Camden Quay was burned down by persons unknown. The police on this occasion also gave every possible assistance in suppressing the fire and preventing looting.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Saturday several papers, including the "Evening News," published a statement that this had been done by Black and Tans, and that they had prevented people at the revolver's point; and will he have those papers prosecuted?
§ Major NALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether those fires were probably done by the same organisation that caused the fires in Liverpool?
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes the right hon. Gentleman assert that it is quite possible, to burn all sorts of buildings, including shops belonging to Unionists, in a great city, and that he neither knows nor does he seem to care who are the malefactors in these cases, nor does he make any attempt to bring them to justice? Is that the position of the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODNo, it is not, and the hon. Member for Falls knows that it is not.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat is your position?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThis is a private notice question, and I have done my best to get an answer by wire. I will make fuller inquiries, and if the hon. Member will put his question down for Thursday, I will give him a more detailed report.