§ Mr. RONALD McNEILL(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to sniping by Sinn Feiners on the Monaghan-Tyrone frontier, in the neighbourhood of Ballagh Bridge, which is making it impossible for local farmers on the Tyrone side to till their land or to tend their horses and cattle; whether this sniping has been located in houses within the Free State garrisoned by armed men, whose supplies of food and ammunition are observed to be replenished by women from outside; and, in view of the fact that the Government of Northern Ireland have no authority to cross their frontier to deal with these attacks, whether he proposes to order the demolition of these snipers' nests by artillery; or, if not, what other steps he proposes to take to protect life and property?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI regret the absence of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The question was not received until after the House opened, and therefore I cannot be expected to give a full reply to a long question involving matters of fact and opinion. I have sent for an answer to the question, and I hope that at some later time I shall be able to answer my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. McNEILLMay I put the question on the adjournment of the House?
§ Sir F. BANBURYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to give an answer to the general question put, namely, whether, if these snipings go on in the Free State the Government intend to take action to put an end to it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI myself saw the question only when I reached the Chair, and I ought to have struck out the latter part of it. The question asked by the right hon. Baronet does not raise a special 645 matter appropriate to the occasion, but is a general question suitable for placing on the Paper.