Colonel NEWMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the terms under which the various naval stations in Ireland outside Northern Ireland have been handed over to the Provisional Government of Southern Ireland; are the buildings and fortifications to be transferred as a gift; and under what terms have Haulbowline, County Cork, and the defences of Cork Harbour been handed over?
§ Mr. AMERYNo formal transfers of any of the Admiralty property in Southern Ireland has yet taken place. The coast guard stations, a large number of which are held on lease, have been, or are being handed over to representatives of the Provisional Government, together with all their liabilities as from 1st April, 1922, subject to a formal transfer being arranged later. The question of the terms for the transfer of Haulbowline are now under consideration. The fortifications connected with the defences of Cork do not concern the Admiralty.