25. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Secretary of State for War who supplied the troops breaking out of barracks to perform recent and admitted cases of reprisals in Ireland with lists of the leading Sinn Feiners which enabled them to discriminate between houses of Sinn Feiners and those of innocent people; and whether it is the practice of the military intelligence service in Ireland to circulate its secret information to the rank and file of the forces stationed in that country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWith regard to the first part of the hon. Member's question, the identity of many leading rebels is common knowledge in most Irish towns, and is in many cases blatantly advertised by the individuals themselves. The answer to the second part is in the negative.
§ 26. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War what method is adopted at military dep6ts and barracks in Ireland for checking the issue of petrol, hand grenades, ammunition, and other Government stores; whether soldiers are able to obtain such articles for reprisals on Irish towns, as in the case of the recent raids on Bandon and Mallow, among others; whether soldiers are allowed to use motor lorries without permission for entering Irish towns at night; and what steps are being taken to prevent the use of Government vehicles and stores for reprisals in the future?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that most careful arrangements have been made for safeguarding petrol, ammunition and hand grenades, and for checking issue, and also to have them ready for instant use when required for the support of the police. Except on escort duty, soldiers are not allowed to use the lorries. There is only one case known, at Mallow, in which motor vehicles were taken without permission, and disciplinary action was taken in this case.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman state how the troops at Bandon and elsewhere managed to get petrol if it is carefully checked, and what is done to see that the petrol and other stores are not taken in moments of excitement?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWith regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to what I have already said. As to the first part, I understand that inquiries are still proceeding.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWith regard to Mallow, what disciplinary action has been taken by the Government with regard to the soldiers who took Government lorries without permission for a joy ride at night—
§ Mr. J. JONESGolliwog!
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am endeavouring to give a serious answer to a question put in rather an offensive form. As far as I know, the inquiries which have taken place in Ireland by the Command has led to a decision to try several soldiers and non-commissioned officers by court-martial, and until those trials are completed it is not possible for me to make any further statement.
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there has been a renewal in the last two days of the policy of reprisals, Littleton, Thurles, Tralee, Bally-bunion, and Ballyduff; and whether he is now prepared to give a definite assurance that the Government will take immediate and adequate steps to break down this policy of frightfulness which is aggravating the already deplorable conditions in Ireland?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Lieut. - Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood)I only received notice of this question at noon, and have been quite unable to get reports from the five different places mentioned by the hon. Member. I can assure the hon. Member that there is no Government policy of reprisals. What are called reprisals are frequently legitimate acts of self-protection by police and soldiers in searching houses, shops, and other premises for criminals, ammunition, and explosives. The five places mentioned in the hon. Member's question are towns in Tipperary and Kerry; there have been four policemen murdered and ten wounded with the last few days, and a thorough search for the assassins is proceeding in these counties.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the "Times" newspaper 178 has made a definite charge against the Government that they are the originators of this policy of reprisals, and if that is a false statement is he prepared to prosecute the "Times"?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am not aware of the statement myself; but in law a misstatement is not necessarily a ground for action. Anybody can accuse the Cabinet of any crime and be free from legal action.
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously assert that the making of a misstatement in a newspaper is not an offence, while he himself is prosecuting the "Freeman's Journal" in Ireland for this offence?
§ Lord R. CECILIs it not a fact that these statements, which have been made repeatedly by the newspapers and in public; have not yet been denied by the Government?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have denied them at different times myself, and I deny them now.
§ Mr. DEVLINI press for an answer to my question. If it is an offence for which Irish newspapers are brought before courts-martial in Ireland to make statements which are not true, and if this statement be untrue, why is "The Times" not prosecuted, and other newspapers in this country ns well as Irish newspapers?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not the fact that if a newspaper in this country were prosecuted for making an untrue statement it could plead the custom of the trade and get off?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf there is no policy of reprisals, has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the speech of the Prime Minister at Carnarvon and of the Secretary of State for War at Dundee condoning excesses committed by troops and police in Ireland?
Mr. STANTONWhat would you do if you were an Irish policeman doing your duty? I would if I were one of them.
§ Mr. J. JONESWhy do you not be one of them?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must ask the hon. Member not to interrupt the proceedings.
Mr. STANTONI am sorry, but may I call your attention to the other hon. Member? I suppose I have some rights as this House as well as the Bolshies.
§ At the end of Questions—
§ Mr. O'CONNORI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the continuance of the burning of creameries, the firing of towns, and the destruction of life by the forces of the Crown, and, in view of the aggravation of the appalling conditions in Ireland which these outrages have created, the immediate necessity for such strong and vigorous action on the part of the Government as will put an end to this disastrous policy of frightfulness.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am afraid that I can not accept the hon. Member's Motion. With regard to the continuance of the burning of creameries, there has been no evidence whatever since the last Debate. With regard to the firing of towns, the only evidence is founded on newspaper reports. The hon. Members asked questions to-day and the Chief Secretary for Ireland said that he was not in a position either to accept or deny the reports. I think, therefore, the hon. Member ought to wait until he receives some information. The same remark applies to the destruction of life by the forces of the Crown. I do not think there has been any further evidence to-day, but, if the hon. Member to-morrow has any evidence, or if the Department has any information upon any of these matters, I shall be quite prepared to consider a further proposal.
§ Mr. O'CONNORThank you. I shall move the question to-morrow, in case the conditions which you lay down are fulfilled.