HC Deb 23 February 1922 vol 150 cc2079-80
19. Sir M. DOCKRELL

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that G Company of the Auxiliaries, on arriving at Killaloe in November, 1920, opened accounts with the local shopkeepers for the supply of their mess and canteen; that, upon removal to Corofin in July, 1921, the company left a large sum unpaid; that, as a result of various efforts to obtain payment, Colonel Guard, second in command of Auxiliary Divisions, on he evening of 2nd January, 1922, having previously interviewed the debtors, made an offer of part payment, giving the shopkeepers until the following morning to make a decision as to whether they would accept the sums offered in full discharge of the money due to them, informing them that unless they did so they would not be paid any portion of the debts due to them; and that the receipts given were, it is alleged, obtained under duress and in the absence of any legal assistance; and whether it is intended that losses amounting to a large sum are, in the circumstances, to be inflicted upon people who in all good faith parted with their property in the belief that they would be paid in full for the same.

Sir H. GREENWOOD

I understand that receipts in full settlement of outstanding accounts of this company were given by the tradesmen concerned but that claims for further payments have now been preferred by them. I am looking into the whole matter.

Sir M. DOCKRELL

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that the Divisional Commander who investigated this said that Colonel Guard procured the receipts under duress, and, further, that claims, which were on all fours with this in Limerick, were paid in full, and why should these unfortunate shopkeepers in Killaloe be treated differently?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

I cannot accept the ex parte statement of the hon. Member, who of course, speaks on information supplied to him. I have said I am making inquiry into the matter, and no one is more anxious than I am that every policeman who leaves Ireland will leave with a clean record behind him.

Sir M. DOCKRELL

Does the right hon. Baronet hope to be able to make that inquiry and come to a conclusion soon?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

The inquiry is going on now.