HC Deb 11 April 1922 vol 153 cc205-7 The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Viscount CURZON: 24. To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet decided to accept the invitation of the Provisional Government to inquire into the murder of Lieutenant Genochio; whether any steps have yet been taken to effect the release of the special constables captured at Clones; whether he is aware of the place of their detention and of their treatment and condition; and on what ground they are detained?
Viscount CURZON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies the first part of Question No. 24.

Mr. CHURCHILL

In reply to the first part of the question, the hon. and gallant Member will, I am sure, recognise that the existing conditions in County Cork render the holding of such an inquiry impracticable at the present moment; but I still hope that it may be possible to arrange for an inquiry at an early date.

In reply to the remainder of the question, which my hon. and gallant Friend omitted to put, I am glad to be able to inform the House that these men were released yesterday and have, I understand, returned to their homes.

Sir W. DAVISON

Will any compensation be paid to these men who have now been under duress for two months?

Mr. CHURCHILL

That is a question of which I should have notice.

25. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that trains arriving at Dundalk and other stations from Northern Ireland are continually being searched by armed men and goods from Northern Ireland removed and burnt; whether any steps have been taken by the Provisional Government to arrest and bring to justice persons committing these and similar crimes elsewhere; whether any persons have so far been arrested and punished and, if so, how many; if the Provisional Government are unwilling or unable to secure life and property; and what action the British Government propose to take in the matter?

Mr. CHURCHILL

My attention has been drawn to these outrages which, as the hon. Member must be aware, are committed as much for the purpose of embarrassing the Provisional Government as of injuring the trade of Belfast. I am assured that the Provisional Government are fully alive to the necessity of taking adequate measures for the restoration of order in the territory within their jurisdiction, but they are confronted with many difficulties which cannot be overcome in a day.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not a question of difficulties being overcome in a day, but that these occurrences have been going on for months, and will he answer the second part of the question as to whether any persons so far have been arrested or punished?

Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, at any rate, the British taxpayer will not have to pay compensation in these cases?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The Provisional Government accept the position entirely that the local authorities are responsible for malicious injuries in Ireland as from the date of the signing of the Treaty.

Sir W. DAVISON

Have any persons been arrested or punished?

Lord R. CECIL

Have any Orders in Council yet been issued transferring powers?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The main, essential important Order in Council has already been issued. With regard to the question put by the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison), I think it is very unlikely that anybody has been arrested or punished for these nefarious acts, but my hon. Friend is aware of the state of affairs in Ireland at the present moment. I have no doubt in the long run persons will be fully and thoroughly punished for these acts.

Mr. LINDSAY

Will it be practicable for the owners of these goods to recover their value from the county councils in whose areas these outrages occur, or to whom must they look for compensation?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Matters are, to a considerable extent, in a state of flux at the present time, and I should hesitate to attempt to give any practical guidance at the moment. I am confident in the long run these matters will be settled satisfactorily.

Viscount CURZON

Is the number of these outrages tending to increase?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, I think they have been maintaining a fairly even level during the last few weeks.