HC Deb 19 July 1922 vol 156 cc2068-70
38. Captain CRAIG

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Protestant Church of St. Thomas, in Marlborough Street, Dublin, was burnt during the recent fighting in the Sackville Street area in that city and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is but a few doors away, has been spared; whether he is aware that the forces engaged in the fighting in this area took no steps whatever to save the fabric of the Protestant Church, while every effort was made to save the Roman Catholic Cathedral; and whether representations are being made to the Free State authorities that the Imperial Government will demand that the fullest compensation shall be paid for the damage or destruction of property belonging to loyalists and Unionists in that State?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not regard the fact that a Protestant building was destroyed, while the Catholic Church escaped injury in the conflagration, as-justifying the conclusion that no effort was made to save the former from destruction. I understand that in the particular case in question the Protestant Church is believed to have caught fire from the neighbouring buildings due to the direction of the wind, and that the firemen did in fact do everything in their power to prevent its destruction. As regards the question of compensation, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement in the latter part of my reply to a question addressed to me on the 17th instant, by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea.

39. Captain CRAIG

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the attack on St. Kevin's Protestant Church, South Circular Road, Dublin, on Tuesday the 11th instant, when men broke into the church and riddled the organ with bullets, smashed the electric lights and windows of the church, and left the building with the floor littered with empty cartridge cases; whether a patrol consisting of 10 or 12 men, under an officer or non-commissioned officer of the Free State was in the vicinity at the time and took no steps to protect the church; whether he will demand an explanation of this sacrilege from the Free State Government, and of the action of their officers, and their failure to protect the property of loyal citizens: and whether he has taken any steps to obtain a guarantee that such outrages as these shall cease?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am informed that an officer of the Free State Army was sent to investigate this outrage as soon as it was brought to the notice of the authorities, and that the Provisional Government have the matter under consideration. In reply to the last part of the question it must be obvious that neither His Majesty's Government nor the Provisional Government can give any guarantee that outrages of this kind by irresponsible persons will altogether cease in Ireland.

Captain CRAIG

Will my right hon. Friend consider the desirability of making a strong statement to the public generally and to the Provisional Government in Dublin in particular, to the effect that the Free State Government will have to pay for all such outrages as these, and if he 3oes that, does he not think it will have a very good effect on the people in Ireland who are committing so many of these outrages?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is essentially part of the case that the Provisional Government are putting before the people of Ireland that the whole cost of repairing the damage now being inflicted will fall upon them. They are making that plain in every communication they issue.

Captain CRAIG

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it plain to this House that that will be the case, namely, that the Free State Government will have to pay for all these outrages?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is obvious that any Government professing to carry on a civilised administration in a modern State must insist upon proper compensation to persons for property damaged by riot or malicious injury.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Then why should we pay for the damage done by the constituents of the hon. and gallant Member (Captain Craig)?

Captain CRAIG

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if my constituents are known to have been guilty of any outrages?