§ 22. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make any further statement as to the murders of Lieutenant Genochio, Royal Engineers, Lieutenant Meade, Royal Army Service Corps, and Quartermaster-Sergeant Cunliffe; whether, in the latter case, these soldiers were armed; whether there is any news of the murderers; and whether the Irish Provisional Government have made any communication with respect to these atrocities, or expressed any regret for them officially or sympathy with the relatives?
§ Mr. PARKERMy right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to make any further statement in regard to these cases except to state that all efforts to trace and apprehend the murderers have up to the present proved unavailing. The Provisional Government have conveyed to His Majesty's Government an expression of their abhorrence of these crimes and of their determination to take all possible measures for bringing the perpetrators to justice.
§ Viscount CURZONWhen will the hon. Gentleman be in a position to state that further information has been received?
§ Mr. PARKERThe Noble Lord knows quite well that I am not now in possession of the information.
§ Viscount CURZONOn a point of Order. This question was put down a week ago on behalf of the parents and relatives of these two officers. This is the day upon which the Secretary of State for the Colonies is supposed to answer questions. Is it not rather discourteous to the House that the Secretary of State should not be in his place?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe are all liable to fail at times.
§ Viscount CURZONI will put the question down again for this day week.