§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary whether the attention of the Government has been called to the dossier issued by General Crozier in which the charges made, and supported by many affidavits, that murder, arson, looting, and other forms of terrorism were practised by the Crown forces during the six months he held his Irish Command, and that resignation was forced upon him because of his determination to enforce discipline; and whether the charges also made that highly-placed persons in Dublin Castle endeavoured to arrange evidence bearing upon the murder of Father Griffin, and the Drumcondra and guard room shootings; and whether the Government will at once constitute a public and independent tribunal to investigate these terrible charges?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to statements appearing in to-day's Press by Brigadier-General Crozier, lately commanding the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary, making accusations of excesses by the forces of the Crown in Ireland, and especially of procuring of witnesses to commit perjury before courts-martial and courts of inquiry in Ireland; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have seen the allegations referred to. Nearly all of them refer to the period when General Crozier was himself in command of the Auxiliary Police in Ireland and responsible for their conduct and discipline. If the late commandant has any evidence of criminal acts alleged to have been committed by anyone in Ireland or elsewhere, it is his duty to produce such evidence. I shall consider the question of further inquiry when I see all the allegations. There is no truth in the allegation that this officer's resignation was forced because of his determination to enforce discipline. On the contrary, the discipline and efficiency of the Auxiliary Police have greatly improved since his resignation.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf General Crozier submits evidence, who will be asked to examine it? Will it be the men who are implicated in these charges?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODAnything brought to the Irish Office will be brought to me, and I shall personally examine any charges that General Crozier or anybody else makes.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIn view of this discussion, and of the nature of the allegations made, will the right hon. Gentleman publish General Crozier's record, and show how it was that this officer was deprived of his commission?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it not a fact that General Crozier has a very distinguished war record, and does not the right hon. Gentleman refuse an investigation into the action of his agents in Ireland on the ground of their very distinguished war records?
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman ask for General Crozier's confidential reports from the first day he joined the Army?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that General Crozier commanded a battalion in the Ulster Volunteers before the War?
§ Captain REDMONDWould not a public inquiry such as is demanded by my hon. Friend disclose all these alleged facts which hon. Members opposite are now endeavouring to place before the public, and why will not the Government have this public inquiry? Furthermore, in view of the statement that evidence may be given by any of these witnesses or people who are willing to give evidence, to whom and where can this evidence be given?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it not relevant to the whole question, and the credibility of General Crozier, to publish his confidential reports in the War Office?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn reference to the personal confidential reports of General Crozier, which are in the War Office, I shall consult with my right hon. Friend (the Secretary of State for War) as to whether it is desirable or right that they should be published.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it not the case that General Crozier is using confidential statements which came into his possession in view of his position in Dublin Castle, and is it not therefore quite fair that the other confidential 26 reports about General Crozier should be published?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWere General Crozier's confidential reports examined before he was appointed?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI must have notice of a question of that sort.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYSurely you can answer that.
§ Mr. O'CONNORI ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, unless the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary or the Leader of the House will give me an undertaking to give an early opportunity of discussing this question. If he will do that, I will not ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House now. But this is a matter casting such terrible reflections upon His Majesty's Ministers that I think, in justice to the Government and to those who are concerned, that these charges should be either rebutted or properly examined at the very earliest moment. Therefore I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will give me an opportunity of discussing the question at an early date, in which case I should be quite willing not to ask for the Adjournment of the House.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for his courtesy. The Government have purposely refrained from asking the House to pass the Chief Secretary's Vote, in order that we might have it available to put down for the purpose of giving an opportunity for a discussion of the kind which the hon. Gentleman might desire. My difficulty is that I am pressed to find a day for a great variety of questions. There are many promises outstanding. I will ask my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary to look into the matter, and communicate through the usual channels with the other parties. We will do our best, but as there are so many promises outstanding, I cannot assure my hon. Friend of a very early day.
§ Mr. O'CONNORI am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but the undertaking which he has given is not sufficient to meet the urgency of so terrible an indictment of His Majesty's Ministers.