§ 53. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many divisions of the Irish Republican Army are now in Northern Ireland; and whether they are under the authority of the Free State Government?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Churchill)I have no 1646 information as to how many divisions of this organisation exist in Northern Ireland. They are not under the authority of the Free State Government.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember that he informed the House a little while ago that there were two divisions of the Irish Republican Army in Belfast alone? Will he say why they are there at all, and will he make representations to whoever is responsible to clear them out?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is nothing new in this. I said there were two divisions in the Northern Counties. It is possible there may me three, but the use of the word "division" is far-fetched, as only a few hundred people belong to these unlawful associations, which are not countenanced by the Free State Government.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCan the right hon. Gentleman give us the reason why they are there?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThey are there because they ought not to be there.