§ 6. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many attacks upon the lives or property of the civilian population, as distinct from combats with armed assailants, have been perpetrated by the police or military forces stationed in Ireland since 1st January last; how many of these incidents have been the subject of official Courts of Inquiry; how many members of the police or military forces have been brought to trial as the result of the evidence produced by such Courts of Inquiry; how many have been convicted of breaches of discipline of this nature; and what were the sentences imposed?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood)Pending completion of the inquiries into the various allegations that have been made—many of them, I am satisfied, without foundation—of unjustifiable action by the police or military, I am not in a position to give the information asked for, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that disciplinary action has already been taken in a number of eases, and that a number of men are now awaiting trial, the result of which will be made public in due course.
§ Mr. MOSLEYCan the right hon. Baronet say whether the ordinary military Courts of Inquiry, as laid down by the King's Regulations, have been held to inquire into these cases?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn certain cases, yes.
§ Mr. MOSLEYNot in all cases?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThese courts would not apply in police cases.
§ Mr. MOSLEYIn all military cases?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODYes. In certain military cases, my answer is yes.
§ 9. Mr. A. HERBERTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many Irish creameries have been burnt down as retaliation for outrages, and how many of these creameries belong to Unionists and loyalists?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe number of creameries reported to have been totally destroyed is 16, and in addition 11 have been partially destroyed or damaged. Inquiry is being made into cases where the destruction is alleged to have been committed by forces of the Crown in retaliation for outrages committed upon them, but no conclusive evidence in support of these charges has yet been forthcoming. Most of these creameries are owned by Irish co-operative societies, and I have no information as to the political opinion of the shareholders.
§ Mr. HERBERTWill my right hon. Friend inform himself as to whether any of these were the property of Sinn Feiners?
Mr. KELLYDoes the right hon. Baronet seek evidence from any other source except from those who are alleged to have destroyed creameries?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYA tainted source.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODAs I pointed out yesterday, in August I wrote Sir Horace Plunkett, who is a great authority on these creameries, asking him to produce evidence in support of any allegations.
§ Mr. WATERSONHas the right hon. Baronet read the report of the county court trial at Newport, Co. Tipperary?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have seen a summary of that.
§ Mr. WATERSONI shall be glad to present you with a verbatim report.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe Crown is not a party to arbitration proceedings between the owners of a creamery and a rating authority, which, under the Criminal Injuries Act, is responsible for 1050 damages. In the particular case of Newport, the military report that soldiers were fired at from this creamery, and the firing from the creamery led to the destruction of that particular creamery.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Baronet prepared to accept an impartial inquiry, particularly into the Newport case, because the evidence is vastly difierent?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI gave the answer yesterday, and so did the House.
Mr. KELLYIs the right hon. Baronet aware that a copy of every application for compensation under the Malicious Injuries Act is served on the police and the police make a report on the circumstances of the burning, which is supplied both to the Royal Irish Constabulary Office and to the applicant, and that therefore the Crown had knowledge of the circumstances of all these burnings?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe Crown, through the police or military, gets a report of every incident or accident in Ireland, but it is not a party to these arbitration proceedings before a County Court Judge in assessing damages.
§ Mr. RAFFANWas not evidence given at the County Court that the creamery was empty and had no occupants at the time of the raid, and, in endeavouring to arrive at the truth, have the witnesses who gave that evidence been asked to give information to the Crown?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODNo, it is not my function—
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat are you paid for?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am paid by the House of Commons, which, I believe, supports me in my business. It is not my function—
§ Sir H. GREENWOOD—to accept the allegations of those who accuse the police and military in Ireland. It is for them to supply witnesses in support of their allegations.
§ Mr. WATERSONrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe are going over the same old ground.
§ 16. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether any note or protest with reference to the alleged excesses in Ireland committed by Government agents has been received from the Polish or Hungarian Governments?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas any information been received from the Sublime Porte?