§ 50. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of persons kidnapped by Free State forces since the Truce and the number kidnapped by Republican forces; and how many in each case are supposed to be alive and likely to be safely restored to liberty in the near future?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have no means of ascertaining the number of persons kidnapped in Southern Ireland since the truce, which is now nearly a year ago. I am in communication with the Northern Government as to the number of persons taken from within their jurisdiction and believed still to be in illegal custody, and on this subject I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I shall give to his next question
§ 51. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received from the Provisional Government replies to his inquiries as to the fate of the four 574 loyalists captured by Free State troops at Pettigo about a month ago; and, if so, will he state the nature of such replies?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. I am still in communication with the Provisional Government with a view to ascertaining the whereabouts of these men and securing their release; and, as the House is aware, operations are now taking place in the counties bordering on the territory of the Northern Government which, I hope, will result in clearing up many points which are at present doubtful; but while the Provisional Government are engaged, in this area and elsewhere, in suppressing an armed rebellion against their authority, I cannot ask them to give their undivided attention to individual eases of outrage.