§ Miss Wilkinsonasked the Home Secretary whether he has been made aware from the Irish Republican Army or other Irish sources of the grievances for which the bomb throwing in London and elsewhere is regarded as reprisals; and, if so, whether the Government would be prepared to consider any statement with a view to the removal of such injustices as may exist?
§ Sir S. HoareAs regards the first part of the question, I am not aware of any communication except one received in January last, purporting to be sent by the Irish Republican Army, in which a demand was made for the withdrawal of all British armed forces stationed in Irelandand a declaration by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of abdication in respect of Ireland. There are no armed forces under the authority of the United Kingdom Government stationed in Ireland elsewhere than in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The position of His Majesty's Government in relation to Northern Ireland has been made clear on many occasions, and cannot be affected by the commission of criminal outrages under the name of reprisals.