HC Deb 14 June 1922 vol 155 cc361-2
58. Captain FOXCROFT

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the evidence on which he based his suggestion that Protestants and Sinn Feiners were equally responsible for the recent outrages in Ulster?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The hon. and gallant Member does not quote the words of my statement, which were reported as follows: There is no comparison between the position of the Protestants, Loyalists, or Unionists, in Southern Ireland and that of the Catholics in Northern Ireland, because a most vehement and combative campaign is going on there. I am not saying who began it, or against whom the greater amount of blame rests, but, undoubtedly, a very active combat is going on there, with many killed and wounded on both sides… To this statement I adhere.

Captain FOXCROFT

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise there were several statements in that speech, all of them suggesting to some of us that he considered that the Protestants were equally responsible with the Sinn Feiners? May I suggest—

HON. MEMBERS

Order, order!

Mr. SPEAKER

Does the hon. and gallant Member ask the next Question on the Paper?