§ 29. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that wholesale raids and enforced levies have recently been made by the Irish Republican Army in County Tipperary; whether large numbers of motor cars and other property have been seized; and what action the British Government have taken to secure the safety of the property of individuals in this and other counties in Southern Ireland, seeing that the British Government are still responsible for law and order in Southern Ireland.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. The condition of affairs in parts of County Tipperary has been a source of anxiety to His Majesty's Government, and representations have been made on the subject to the Provisional Government, who I am assured, are giving the matter their earnest attention.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware he has stated day after day that these matters are a cause of anxiety to the Government, yet meanwhile British subjects are being plundered? Does he not think it desirable to take some action to protect them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI might easily take action which would be unwise, and do more harm than good.
§ Viscount CURZONDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the Provisional Government is in a position to do anything in the County of Tipperary at the present moment?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI hope they will be soon; I am supplying them with the means of asserting their authority, and that is their intention.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERHas His Majesty's Government any troops or police in this district who can aid in restoring order and protecting innocent people?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo; I think all the troops and police have been withdrawn.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not a monstrous thing that the troops and police should have been withdrawn before order was restored?
§ 30. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies as to the 1055 number of rifles, machine guns, rounds of ammunition, revolvers, motors, etc., belonging to the British Government which have been illegally taken by the Irish Republican Army from the Clonmel Police Barracks; whether the property has now been recovered; and what punishment has been inflicted on the members of the Irish Republican Army concerned in the theft of British property?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn the raid on the Clonmel Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks the following property was taken:—11 motor cars, 293 rifles and bayonets, 273 revolvers and pistols, three Lewis guns, 45 shot guns, 324,000 rounds of ammunition, 4,247 cartridges, and sundry small stores. Up to the present none of the property has been recovered and none of the raiders have yet been arrested. The matter is receiving the close attention of the Provisional Government.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House some further assurance that in a case like this, where an enormous amount of Government property has been stolen, action will be taken?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have to answer a question on that point later.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWho can get back these stores except members of the Irish Republican Army, who, apparently have stolen them?
§ Mr. STEWARTWould it not be better to destroy the arms and ammunition in these cases?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe policy of concentrating the forces of the Royal Irish Constabulary holding small positions in central barracks is now practically completed. In the case of Clonmel, it was delayed by a certain pause in the negotiations, but it is now practically finished, and I am assured that there is no danger of similar misfortunes occurring in other parts.
§ Sir W. DAVISONHas any single member of the Royal Irish Constabulary yet been punished by the Provisional Government?
§ Viscount CURZONYesterday, in answering a similar question, the right hon. Gentleman said police had been arrested in Dublin on a grave charge. 1056 Is there any ground for suggesting that in Clonmel similar suspicion attaches to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI should like notice of that question. Obviously it is vital to the Provisional Government not to allow themselves to be defied in public by lawless persons, and it is my duty to see that they have the means of dealing with such acts of defiance against Trish authority, and to provide them with such means. Then it will be up to them to take effective action, but until they have such resources I am bound to speak with circumspection.