§ Captain W. BENNasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether persons claiming the return of arms in Ireland have been informed that these arms have now been despatched to England; and what steps are being taken to restore them to their owners?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn reply to the first part of the question, these arms are at present in the custody of the British military authorities, and some of them were despatched to England with other stores on the evacuation of military barracks. It is for the Provisional Government to decide if and when they can authorise the possession of arms by private individuals in Ireland but as soon as that Government authorises such possession the necessary steps to return the arms to their owners will be taken.