§ 11. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War whether orders have been issued to the military governors in the martial-law areas in Ireland to avoid destroying the houses of widows or of ex-service men as official reprisals for crimes by unknown persons or by persons who cannot be captured, in view of the admitted cases of such reprisals that have occurred in which the property destroyed has belonged to widows or ex-service men?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Denis Henry)No such orders have been issued, nor are they necessary. As my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary stated yesterday afternoon, orders, however, have been recently issued by the Commander-in-Chief that every action taken against property must be based on strictly military grounds as denned by military orders.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYOn military grounds, would it not be possible to avoid destroying the property of ex-soldiers, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only last week the home of an officer, serving in Mesopotamia, was wrecked in Queenstown in one of these terrible reprisals?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs it not possible on military grounds, with a view to the morale of the forces, if for no other reason, to avoid destroying the property of men who are actually serving in the Army, as in the case I have specified?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAs the legal adviser of the Crown in Ireland, can the right hon. Gentleman define what are "military grounds"?
§ Mr. HENRYI should say they are the grounds which the Commander-in-Chief considers necessary for the protection of the lives of the Crown forces and the suppression of rebellion.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSCan the right hon. Gentleman lay before the House the instructions which are referred to as military orders?
§ Mr. BRIANTAre we to assume that, prior to this order, reprisals were conducted for other than military purposes?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I have an answer to my question, whether on military grounds it is not possible to avoid destroying the property of serving soldiers?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has had his answer, and must take it.
§ Sir S. HOAREWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether the instructions that have been given by the Chief Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief will be laid on the table?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask for some answer to my question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Government answer has been given, and if it does not satisfy the hon. Member, I cannot help it.