§ 17. Mr. LUMLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been come to regarding the return of arms taken by Government authority from civilians in Ireland; and to whom applications for compensation for the loss or damage to such arms should be. Addressed?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREArrangements have been made for the return of arms surrendered in Ireland in accordance with military proclamations to owners qualified for the possession of such arms. Owners resident in Great Britain and Northern Ireland who desire the return 1650 of such weapons, and who are in possession of the necessary licences and certificates, should apply in the first instance to the Secretary, the War Office, while owners resident in the Free State, who are in possession of the necessary authority, should apply to the Ministry of Defence, Dublin. In cases where it has been ascertained that guns, &c., so surrendered have been lost or cannot now be traced, application for compensation may be addressed to the Under-Secretary of State, the Colonial Office.
Captain ARTHUR EVANSCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the Free State was consulted before this decision was arrived at?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREYes. It was consulted, and a rather fuller statement than I have given will be published in the Press notice shortly.
§ Sir JOHN BUTCHERIs it necessary for the owner of arms who lives in Southern Ireland to get a licence from the Free State Government?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREYes, it is necessary, because nobody is allowed to bear firearms in Southern Ireland without a special licence.