§ 64. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a document headed Headquarters, 4th Northern Division, Irish Republican Army, addressed to all officers and men, which was recently, together with arms, ammunition, and a plan for mining roads, found by the police while searching a house in County Armagh, in which document, amongst other things, it was stated that their objective is a. Republic for an undivided Ireland; that the Dail Minister of Defence had given his word that the army shall be kept as the Irish Republican Army, and that the immediate job for them is, with the help of God, to make Ulster part of a free Irish 1481 Republic; and whether he will inquire of the Provisional Government in Southern Ireland whether they have any knowledge of this conspiracy to coerce Ulster into joining an Irish Republic and will take steps to suppress it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have seen a copy of the document. I am informed that the Provisional Government are not responsible for its issue and have no knowledge of the conspiracy referred to.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERHas the right hon. Gentleman asked the Provisional Government whether they are taking steps to suppress the conspiracy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have not put that, particular question.
§ 68. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what connection there is between the armed forces in Southern Ireland, which call themselves the Irish Republican Army, and the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his question addressed to me. on the 16th February.