§ 52. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that among the farmhouses destroyed in the Glengoole district, near Killenaule, on 12th February last, by order of Colonel-Commandant N. J. Cameron, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., was that of a widow named Mrs. Fitzgerald; that Mrs. Fitzgerald protested her entire innocence of complicity in a local ambush and her powerlessness to prevent it, but was given an hour's notice to quit and not allowed to remove her furniture; and that Mrs. Fitzgerald's son served all through the late War; and will he state what purpose has been served by this arson?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I have no information regarding the statements made in this question, but I have called for a report.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf the right hon. Gentleman finds that the facts are as stated, will the mother of this soldier be compensated; and will the right hon. Gentleman give directions to his colonel-commandants in future not to persecute the mothers of men who have fallen in arms? Cannot I have that assurance?
53. The hon. and gallant Member asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a communication was addressed to General Strickland, G.O.C., Southern Area in Ireland, on the 18th January, by Mr. Bernard Feldman, a representative of the firm of Messrs. H. Farden and Company, 28 and 29, Cheapside, London, E.C., stating that on Friday, 14th January, he was stopped and searched by three members of the Auxiliary Force in Cork, and that Treasury notes to the value of £6 10s. were taken from him; if it is proposed to compensate Mr. Feldman for his loss; and if he is aware of the great number of complaints of cases of a similar nature that are taking place?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have called for a report with reference to this matter, and shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat the question one day next week.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhen questions are asked and the right hon. Gentleman says that he has called for reports, will he send the answers when he receives them to the members who have put the question on the paper?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODYes, I promise to do that: in fact, I always do so.
§ 55. Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Patrick McCabe, a young farmer residing at Rockcorry, County Monaghan; whether he is aware that this young man was taken from his home by members of the Crown forces, placed in a lorry, and handcuffed; that while in the lorry he was so badly beaten that he had to be taken to the hospital at Monaghan; that he was removed from the hospital in Monaghan before being physically fit to travel; and that the results of his beating were so bad that he was hardly able to walk to the railway station; whether on arrival in Belfast he was removed to hospital 1121 where he is at present; whether there never was any charge against this young man; why he is still being detained in custody; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have called for a report with reference to these allegations. If the hon. Member will kindly repeat his question one day next week, I hope that I shall then be able to furnish him with a reply.