§ 11. Lieut. - Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Chief Secretary whether ammunition of American manufacture has been recently captured in the course of 291 raids on Sinn Fein premises in Dublin; and, if so, whether he will state the amount and nature of these captures?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODSince the 26th March last, 16,388 rounds of American ammunition have been captured in the Dublin district. The principal item consists of 13,608 rounds of American .45 "Rifle Ammunition." The remainder is made up of .303 Service Rifle Ammunition, Peters .45 Colt Rifle Ammunition, Winchester .45 Rifle Ammunition, and Remington .45 Rifle Ammunition.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEIn view of the fact that very large sums of money have been raised in the United States for the support of the campaign of assassination and anarchy in Ireland, might not strong representations be made to the United States Government with reference to the fact of the finding of this ammunition?
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTCan the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that this amount of ammunition can have come into Ireland, and whether anything has been done in the direction of communicating with the authorities in the United States to ask whether they can assist in preventing the smuggling of ammunition?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI note the importance of these supplementary questions, and I shall confer with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Earl Curzon).
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCould steps be taken, by legislation if necessary, to stop this smuggling of arms which are used for purposes of murder?
§ Captain Viscount CURZONHas the right hon. Gentleman any definite information as to whether the ammunition was smuggled or as to where it came from?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question.