HC Deb 05 April 1922 vol 152 cc2234-5
Viscount CURZON

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he could give the House any information with reference to the fighting reported to be taking place in the Sperrin mountains?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Notice of my Noble Friend's question has reached me only at this moment. I have no information on the subject except what has appeared in the newspapers. The Sperrin mountains are in the area of the Northern Parliament. I am making inquiries about this and other incidents. Perhaps I may tell the House that the ship "Upnor," which was piratically seized last week, had on board 381 rifles, 727 revolvers, 33 Lewis guns, and six Maxim guns. All these were taken. That is less than I stated in regard to the rifles and revolvers, and the same number as I stated in regard to the machine-guns. The small arms ammunition cannot exceed 25,000 rounds, including pistol ammunition, and not 500,000 as was then apprehended, and as I stated to the House. How much of each kind is not yet known.

Viscount CURZON

Will any inquiry be held into the loss of this ship?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, the most searching inquiry.

Mr. RAWLINSON

What steps are being taken to recover these arms and this ammunition?