HC Deb 18 April 1921 vol 140 cc1519-21
48. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Prime Minister whether a letter has come into the possession of the authorities, addressed by Michael Collins to the Irish republican director of propaganda, stating that questions as to Royal Irish Constabulary resignations, dismissals, and recruitment have been asked on his instructions, and suggesting that he can make good use of some of them for propaganda; whether the letter specifically refers to figures obtained in the House on 10th March as the result of questions asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Com- mander Kenworthy); and whether the Government will take such action in regard to questions as will preclude injury to the interests of the country?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Denis Henry)

The answer to all parts of the question is in the affirmative. I shall read the letter: Dail Eireann, Department of Finance, Mansion House, Dublin, 21st March, 1921. To DIRECTOR OF PROPAGANDA, A chara,—The enclosed copy of notes from Ireland will probably be of some interest to you. I have previously sent some copies of these and other things from the Unionist Alliance people. Many figures have been given in the papers recently with regard to Royal Irish Constabulary resignations, dismissals, recruitment. All these questions have been asked on instructions from me, and I think you might be able to make very good use of some of them. For instance, in the 10th March 'Hansard' (pages 688 and 689) are given the figures which appeared in the 'Independent' some days ago. In a few days' time we shall get total strengths and total numbers recruited over certain periods. I have got an arrangement made in London whereby the 'Independent' correspondents will always quote the figures pretty fully for our benefit. Do Chara, (Signed) MICHAEL COLLINS. (In Erse.) I think it right to add that the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) appears in the question, and that a letter was written by him, and appeared in the Press the following day, wherein he stated: I desire to say that I have never had any communication of any kind with Mr. Michael Collins.

Mr. HOGGE

How did this letter, which came into the possession of the authorities, appear in the "Morning Post?"

Mr. HENRY

I cannot say. I suppose it was handed out as part of the official statement made at the time.

Mr. HOGGE

Was it handed out by the Publicity Department of the Chief Secretary's office?

Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Is the Government taking any steps to follow up the allusion to the "Independent" correspondents who, apparently, have been allowed to quote freely for the benefit of Mr. Michael Collins? Cannot the Government find out how these people were approached?

Mr. HENRY

So far as we are concerned the only statement made with regard to that is utilised in the answer given in this House.

Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Does not the letter infer that they have been in collusion in some manner with the agents of Mr. Collins?

Earl WINTERTON

In fairness to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman carefully retain this letter, in order to give the hon. and gallant Member an opportunity of bringing an action for libel against Mr. Collins at any future time, should he wish to do so, for publishing a false letter, in view of the undoubted genuineness of the letter written by Mr. Collins?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I will make an explanation later.

At the end of Questions—

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I desire, with the leave of the House, to make a personal explanation with regard to a question on the Order Paper (No. 48) standing in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs), which refers to the hon. Member for South Cork (Mr. Michael Collins) as having instructed me to put questions in this House. I only desire to say I have never had any communication of any sort with Mr. Michael Collins, and know nothing whatever of the matter.