§ 9. Sir C. YATEasked the Chief Secretary what munitions, military transport, and stores have been handed over to the Irish Free State Army in Southern Ireland, and on what terms; and whether similar facilities for the taking over of military stores have been given to the Government of Northern Ireland?
§ 55. Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Prime Minister whether military stores in Ireland have been sold or given to the Irish Republican Army; and, if so, whether these stores include rifles and small-arm ammunition?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo munitions or stores of any kind have been given or sold to the Irish Republican Army, but a quantity of police arms and ammunition and motor transport, and of military and police stores have been taken over by the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State subject to a valuation. Adequate facilities for the equipment of its police forces have, of course, been given to the Northern Government.
§ Viscount CURZONHas the right hon. Gentleman any information to show whether any of these stores were used in the operations of the Irish Republican Army reported yesterday?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, I have no information on that point, and I should be greatly surprised if that fact could be established.
§ Sir C. YATEHave the Northern Government taken over any surplus stores which are now available?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. LYNN(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the attack on Ulster loyalists yesterday arms, ammunition, and transport handed over to the Provisional Government by the British Government were used, and whether in view of this fact instructions will be issued immediately to the Imperial authorities prohibiting the handing over of munitions of war to the Provisional Government.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWith great respect, Mr. Speaker, this question was originally placed upon the paper with the terminating words written "to the Republican Government." My answer has been framed on that expectation, and does not quite apply to the new reading of the question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt was I who altered the question as submitted to me, thinking it was incorrect in form.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have no information bearing out the suggestion in the first part of the question. We have given certain rifles and other arms to the Provisional Government. of Ireland. [HON. MEMBERS "Given?"] We have given them at a valuation. [HON. MEMBERS: "Sold!"] They have been transferred to that Government for the very necessary purpose of enabling it to have some disciplined, organised forces of their own, without which no Government in the world can be expected to maintain order of any sort or kind. I should be very much surprised to learn that any of these weapons or appliances had been used in the gross outrage committed within the Ulster border yesterday, and I shall accept with readiness any evidence that can be tendered to me on that subject from hon. Gentlemen who are in a position to acquire knowledge of these facts, and I will immediately see that the best possible use is made of any such evidence if it is found to be in all ways authenticated. The British Army, in withdrawing from large portions of Ireland, is undoubtedly making arrangements to transfer large quantities of stores and supplies, on purchase, to the Irish Provisional Government, but the transfer of everything in the nature of munitions of war or equipment, which could be used in equipping forces or transport which could be used for these military purposes, is being most strictly regulated, and is the subject of further consideration at the present time.
§ Mr. LYNNIs my right hon. Friend aware that some of the men who were captured, while taking part in the raid, were dressed in the uniform of the Provisional Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is quite another matter. If it can be shown that these uniforms were handed over by the British Government to the Provisional Government for the purpose of maintaining order and that then these uniforms have been used by persons engaged in gross and violent breaches of the truce, that is a matter of great importance, on which I desire to be fully reassured, but if it is merely a question of lawless persons who have procured uniforms which they have a sentimental desire to wear and brought those uniforms into discredit, 275 that is a matter that first of all has to be discussed with the responsible authorities of the Provisional Government.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire from the Ulster Goverment whether there is any truth in the allegation that weapons and arms handed over by the British Government to the Provisional Government were used in these raids instead of waiting for private information from private Members of this House?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCertainly, I will make the inquiry this afternoon, and, whatever the result of the inquiry is, it shall be stated fully to the House.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether these arms and munitions of war have been transferred at merely a nominal consideration, or whether their market value was obtained?
§ Mr. G. TERRELLMay I ask whether, as a matter of ordinary prudence, any further transfer of arms or munitions should not be delayed until the right hon. Gentleman has the fullest information as to what has happened?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo transfers of arms or munitions have been made, except in accordance with measures which I myself personally approved, and I should be delighted to state exactly what those measures are. In regard to stores and supplies of a non-military character, it is necessary that a good deal of these should be disposed of upon the spot, owing to the departure of the troops.
§ Captain C. CRAIGI do not know whether this arises exactly out of the question, but I should like to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has any more information to give the House with reference to the proceedings of yesterday, and particularly whether it is true that there have been over 200 persons taken prisoner by the Free State?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have no further information up to the present moment.
§ Colonel MILDMAYCan the right hon. Gentleman confirm the statement in the Press this morning that the kidnapped Sligo men, including Sir Jocelyn Gore Booth, have been released: whether only the Sligo victims have been released; and whether, if they have 276 received exceptional treatment, it is due to the fact that Sir Jocelyn Gore Booth is a brother of the Countess Markievicz?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have no further information, but I will endeavour to see that the fullest possible information is available for the House, either on the rising this evening or the earliest possible moment.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTWill the Government undertake that, so long as the possibility of civil war exists, not a rifle or bullet will be handed over?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. I can give no such undertaking. Our intention is to equip the Provisional Government in order loyally to carry out the principles of the Treaty we have both signed, with all the means of maintaining order within its borders.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the Government of Northern Ireland will receive the same treatment?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis House and the Imperial Government, are responsible in every way for assisting in the maintenance of law and order, and the protection of His Majesty's liege subjects throughout the whole territory of the Northern Government, and that obligation will be fully and effectually discharged with adequate forces.