§ 8. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there has been great delay in restoring to their owners the arms and ammunition taken before the truce by the British Government from loyalists resident in Southern Ireland; whether the arms and ammunition so taken will be at once restored to those owners who are now living in Great Britain or Northern Ireland; and what steps should be taken by those owners who are still living in Southern Ireland to regain possession of their arms and ammunition so taken?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThere is now no delay in dealing with applications for the return of arms now stored in this country, and a considerable number of these have in fact been returned to their owners. As regards those stored in the Irish Free State, my Noble Friend the Secretary of State has asked the Government of the Irish Free State to undertake the task of returning arms so surrendered to owners resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, and I am informed that arrangements are being made to have this done as soon as possible. The return of arms to persons resident in the Free State area must necessarily depend on the issue of permits for their possession by the Free State Government.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERTo whom should application be made for the return of these arms?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI think I gave the actual address in answer to a question a fortnight ago. I will look it up.