§ 19. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of motor-cars used for the perpetration of murder and other outrages which have been seized and confiscated under the Restoration of Order Regulations; whether, in order to save the lives of the police and military and other servants of the Crown and to render the escape of criminals less easy, he will, even at the risk of inconvenience to business and private interests, at once establish more stringent control over the use of motorcars and, if necessary, prohibit their use completely; whether there are at present any Regulations preventing the acquisition of motor spirit by unauthorised persons; and, if not, whether he will at once issue such Regulations?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe figures asked for by the hon. Member in the first part of his question are not available, and to collect them from the police would require an expenditure of labour on their part which I do not think would be justified. As regards the second part of the question, the Government has, under Regulation 9 A.A. of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations, ample power to control the use of motor-cars in Ireland. The question of prohibiting the use of motor-cars in certain disturbed areas is under consideration. There are no Regulations in force preventing the acquisition of motor spirit, but it has been decided to introduce Regulations directed to regulate its distribution.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my right hon. Friend remember that controlling the use of motor-ears for the prevention of murder is even more important than business or private interests?
§ Sir M. DOCKRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, unless great discrimination is exercised, Very great hardship will be inflicted upon innocent persons; and, further, is he aware that cars and petrol are taken away without anybody's leave?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am aware of those facts, and I am doing my best to discriminate between innocent people in Ireland and the few who are causing all the trouble.
§ 20. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether soldiers broke out of barracks on Saturday last and destroyed considerable property in Bandon; and how many members of the forces concerned have been placed under arrest?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)I have been asked to reply, I have no official information at present, but expect to receive a report shortly.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTMay I ask if this is the area where three officers forming part of one detachment were foully murdered?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI know that is the case, and several private soldiers have also been murdered or very severely wounded.
§ Earl WINTERTONAnd may I ask whether the murderers have been arrested or any sympathy expressed towards them by those who ask questions on this subject?
§ Mr. MOSLEYWill he then take more efficient measures than at present exist to arrest these murderers?
§ 22. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether military courts of inquiry have been held in accordance with paragraph 666 of the King's Regulations to inquire into every case of attack by any section of the military forces stationed in Ireland upon the property or lives of the inhabitants of that country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. If the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland considers he is not sufficiently informed on any matters such as those raised by the hon. Member he will doubtless cause the assembly of a Court of Inquiry. There is no obligation on any officer to assemble a Court of Inquiry; it is a matter purely for his discretion.