§ Mr. PENNEFATHER (by Private Noticeasked the Chief Secretary if he will state whether the loss of life and injuries to officers and men of the Essex Regiment in Ireland on Friday last were largely due to the lorries employed offering little cover, and if so, would he consider extending the use of armoured cars and lorries fitted with Lewis or other quick-firing guns, thus placing our soldiers at an advantage as compared with the cowardly assassins who largely outnumber them and attack from behind cover, and only come to close quarters when most of the soldiers have been killed or disabled?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI regret I have not received this question at all. But I can assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that every effort is taken by the military and the police authorities to give the fullest protection to the forces that are engaged in a very difficult enterprise.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERArising out of that reply, is it not the fact that what is suggested in this question that the loss of life on Friday last was due to the soldiers in these lorries not having any cover? If so, would the right hon. 1536 Gentleman not take steps to see that the men sent to these dangerous places are fully protected by cover, and that also such weapons—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman is asking the same question over again.