§ 12. Colonel GRETTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the terms of the Treaty or the Irish Constitution Act entailed the surrender by the British Admiralty to the Irish Free State of property or freehold of the Admiralty establishments at Berehaven, Haulbowline, or Lough Swilly; and was the surrender advised or approved by the Board of Admiralty?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe Admiralty property at Berehaven was expressly reserved under the Treaty. The remaining property of the Admiralty within the territory of the Irish Free State is transferred to the Free State under Article 11 of the Free State Constitution. The Admiralty advised and assented to the facilities for naval purposes specified in the Annexe to the Treaty; the provision for the transfer of the freehold property not reserved under that annexe was agreed to by His Majesty's Government, the Board of Admiralty as such not being specifically consulted, there being no important naval interest involved.
§ Colonel Sir CHARLES YATEWere the Admiral's house and the naval hospital included in the property handed over?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLI think the answer is perfectly plain. What was not specifically reserved under the Treaty has been handed over.
§ Sir C. YATEDoes that include the naval hospital and the Admiral's house?
§ 13. Colonel GRETTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there are at the present time any staff of officers and men or care and maintenance parties at Berehaven, Haulbowline, or Lough Swilly; and are there any stores or other property of the Board of Admiralty at all or any of these places?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLAdmiralty property on Bere Island is in charge of the military. There is a caretaker for the oil fuel installation at Berehaven. The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland are being asked to undertake the work of care and maintenance of the remaining property on the mainland at Berehaven. One signal 2288 station at Queenstown is in charge of the military. The other has been destroyed by fire. No stores or other property elsewhere in Free State territory have been retained by the Admiralty.
§ Colonel GRETTONAre the Commissioners officers of the Irish Free State or officers of His Majesty's Government?
§ Viscount CURZONWho is getting the benefit of the golf course at Berehaven constructed by the Fleet?
§ Sir W. DAVISONThe right hon. Gentleman says that these are in charge of the military. Does he mean British military forces, and, if so, how many British troops are still there?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLOur military forces.
§ Colonel GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether the Commissioners are officers of the Free State Government or of the British Government?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.