HC Deb 21 June 1921 vol 143 cc1101-2
Earl WINTERTON

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the continued failure of the Secretary of State for War to take any effective steps to secure the safety of officers in His Majesty's Army in Ireland when off duty."

In submitting the question to you, Sir, I may mention two facts. One is that 19 officers were murdered in Dublin last November. The other is that a number of officers have been murdered since then, all off duty, and five have been murdered within the last five days.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member must slightly alter the form of his Motion. I understand that he bases it on events which have just come to his knowledge.

Earl WINTERTON

Within the last 48 hours.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member for the Horsham Division asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House, in order to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the failure of His Majesty's Government to take any effective steps to secure the safety of officers of His Majesty's Army in Ireland when off duty, as shown by the murder of many such officers within the last five days."

The pleasure of the House having been signified, the Motion stood over, under Standing Order No. 10, until a quarter past Eight o'clock this evening.