§ Sir W. DAVISON(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State fox the Colonies whether any British officers have recently been kidnapped in Southern Ireland; whether they have yet been released; and what action the British Government has taken in the matter?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODOn 27th April three officers and a military driver, all in mufti, were on their way to Bantry in a motor car. At Macroom they were kidnapped and have not been heard of since. They were not on duty, and it is presumed that they stopped in Macroom owing to a breakdown. The local I.R.A. who do not acknowledge, the authority of the Provisional Government, has since denied all knowledge of this matter. The Provisional Government are doing what they can to assist in tracing them, as is also the Roman Catholic Bishop.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman say what report he has received as to the situation in Ulster, and whether he has received a report from the Northern Government as to what they are doing to prevent the murder of Catholics?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn view of the fact that these officers were kidnapped, will he answer the latter part of the question as to the action of the British Government who are responsible for the protec- 1777 tion of the lives and property of British citizens, and will he state what the British Government are doing in this matter?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI did my best to answer that question. The Provisional Government are responsible for law and order in the South of Ireland, and they are doing the best they can under the circumstances. The Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese is also doing his best to endeavour to trace those who are responsible.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Provisional Government are quite unable to release these men, and under these circumstances is the British Government not going to do something to get back these British officers?
§ Mr. DEVLINOn a point of Order. Am I not entitled to an answer to my question, as the right hon. Gentleman has dealt with the other questions. I wish to ask whether the Chief Secretary has also been in communication with the Northern part—
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Gentleman wished to ask that question, he should have submitted it to me. I have had no notice of the question.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhen the question of law and order in Ireland is raised generally, am I not entitled also to ask what is being done in other parts of Ireland?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member will follow the same course as other hon. Members have done, I will give him the same consideration.