asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of the late Private Hugh Callaghan, Royal Highlanders, whose regimental number is given as 3/3396 and the number on the ring paper 3439; whether he is aware that the War Office intimated to his widow that he had died on 25th November, 1914; whether on the extract from the death certificate, furnished on request, the cause of death was given as suffocation; whether he is aware that the widow and children have not received any pension; whether this case was tried before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal for Scotland on 14th February, 1921, and the claim refused on the ground that death was due to the soldier's own misconduct; whether the extract of certificate produced at the appeal gave the cause of death as due to alcoholic poisoning; and whether, in view of the fact that two different regimental numbers have been given and two different extracts from the death certificate, he is prepared to cause inquiries to be made as to the real cause of this man's death so that his dependants will not be penalised if an error has been made?

From inquiries I have made I am satisfied that this soldier has been properly identified. The cause of death was found to be suffocation induced by alcoholism, and the refusal of pension was upheld by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, whose verdict, as the hon. Member is aware, is by Statute declared to be final.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into account the fact that this case has been pending for over five years?

I have satisfied myself on the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Edward Edwards, No. 27760, South Wales Borderers, was in receipt of a pension of 8s. 3d. per week, and to what date; whether on 10th November, 1920, he was notified that, arising out of a medical board examination, he was granted from the 26th October, 1920, a 30 per cent. disablement weekly allowance for 12 months; and why it is that he has only received a payment of not more than 5s. 6d. per week?

The award of 8s. 3d. (increased to 12s. from 3rd September, 1919, under the new scale) ceased in January, 1920. The subsequent allowance of 5s. 6d: was awarded pending verification that a second disability, assessed by a board held in November last, was in fact due to service. After much inquiry, connection with service has now been established, and an award at the rate of 30 per cent. disablement has been authorised accordingly.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the advisability of amending the regulations of the Ministry of Pensions, with a view to temporarily assisting the widows and families of deceased soldiers and sailors, pending the hearing of the dependants' appeal at the Pensions Appeal Tribunal?

If in any case of urgent need material evidence is produced which was not previously before the Ministry, the local committee may represent the facts to the Ministry, with a view to the issue of recoverable advances pending the hearing of the appeal. I do not consider that an extension of this practice is called for. I would remind my hon. Friend that claims to pension are only rejected by the Ministry after careful consideration of the available evidence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many a widow with a large family suffers great disability by the hearing of these appeals being so long delayed?

I am afraid I have nothing to do with that.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many appeal tribunal courts have been set up in the London region; how many appeal cases there are still waiting for the tribunals to deal with; what is the approximate number of cases that are heard by the various tribunals in the London region each week; and what steps are to be taken in order that appellants' cases may in future be decided without their having to wait such a long period for their appeals to be heard as they have in the past?

The Pensions Appeal Tribunals are not under my control, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will put his question down again on Monday next I will see that he has an answer.

I beg to give notice that I will repeat it on Monday.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Charles W. Stamford, late lance-corporal, No. 40089, joined the Surrey Yeomanry in November, 1912, was mobilised in August, 1914, and passed A 1; that this non-commissioned officer was sent to France in December, 1916, and was demobilised in February, 1919; that having experienced very indifferent health for some considerable time he consulted a doctor in June, 1919, and was found to be suffering from heart trouble in the form of a defective mitral valve; that in August, 1919, he made application to his local war pensions committee to claim a pension, and in November, 1919, attended a medical board at Cheltenham Terrace, Chelsea; that on the 11th December, 1919, Stamford was notified by the Director General of Awards, Burton Court, that he was not found to be suffering any disablement by reason of his disability; that he then contested the above decision, and on the 16th January, 1920, was notified by the Director-General of Awards that his case had again been submitted, and that it had been found that his disability was disorganised action of the heart, attributable to military service; that Stamford attended a medical appeal board at Cheltenham Terrace on the 5th July, 1920, and, after examination, was told that his heart was quite normal; that after production of the letter from the Director-General of Awards the board altered their decision, and told Stamford verbally that they assessed his disability at 20 per cent., but did not consider it attributable to service but rather to enlarged tonsils; whether this verdict coincided with the opinions expressed previously by various medical men; whether he is aware that a report was subsequently sent in by the medical appeal board that Stamford had no disability at all; that Stamford thereupon applied to his local war pensions committee and appeared before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal at Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, on the 31st January, 1921; and that, after being questioned and examined, he was told that, although there was a slight murmur in the action of his heart, his disability was really nil, and he could not be recommended for a pension; and whether, in view of the widely different views expressed by the various medical boards, the case may be reopened and the whole of the circumstances reconsidered, so that there may be no possibility whatever of any miscarriage of justice with regard to Stamford's pension?

The decision of the Appeal Tribunal is final. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to re-open this case.

In view of the different decisions given by the medical officers, cannot the right hon. Gentleman agree to this case being reopened? Does he not recognise that it presses very hard on the applicant?

I have no power over the Appeal Tribunal. Therefore I cannot reopen the case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the fact that the Director-General's report suggests that the disability was attributable to military service, and that in the circumstances the Government should accept responsibility?

Yes; but when there is any doubt the case is referred to the Appeal Tribunal and, as I have often told the House, the jurisdiction over that tribunal is taken out of my hands.

Can it be placed in the hands of any other Government Department? I do not mean any disrespect to the right hon. Gentleman, but is it possible that it can be dealt with by any other Member of the Government?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of a man who was discharged from the Army in January, 1916, awarded a wound pension for 12 months, granted a medical board in 1920, and awarded a further pension, it is the practice to pay the second pension as from the date of the decision or whether it should be retrospective to the time when the first pension ceased; and, in the former event, whether, in. view of the fact that the second pension was awarded on the ground that the man was still suffering from the wound for which he was awarded the previous pension, he will lay down that in all such cases payment of pension shall be continuous?

The date from which the second pension would run in the circumstances stated would depend upon the merits of the individual case. If my hon. Friend has any such case in mind, and will give me particulars of it, I will gladly investigate it.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of new pensions granted since 1st July, 1920, and the number of pensions terminated in that period; and when he expects the reduction to be evidenced in the decrease of administrative charges?

The number of new pensions and weekly allowances granted since 1st July, 1920, is approximately 99,000, and the number terminated 118,000. With regard to the latter part of the question, I may inform my hon. Friend that the staff of the Ministry (apart from that employed in hospitals and institutions) has been reduced since 1st July, 1920, by 1,712.

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount, if any, contributed by his Department out of State funds for the purpose of augmenting the £25,000 recommended by the Executive Committee of the National Relief Fund to create a fund out of which grants could be made for the purpose of reestablishing in business disabled officers and men; what steps have been taken to prevent overlapping of assistance and to ensure adequacy of aid; whether so far the results are regarded as satisfactory by his Department; whether he can inform the House of the extent to which any State grant for this purpose is contingent on any grant from the King's Fund, formerly the National Relief Fund, to the same end; and, if so, how his Department arrives at the estimate of the amount of such State grant in each year?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend's reference to State contributions in the first part of the question is not quite clear. If, however, he has in mind the assistance given by the State towards the re-settlement of officers and men in their pre-enlistment busi- nesses, and the setting up of disabled officers and men in a business suited to their disability, the Civil Liabilities Department of the Ministry of Labour has expended on these and similar objects over £2,750,000 up to 31st January last. But before any grant is made to ah applicant, reference is made to the King's Fund to ascertain whether any application has been made to that Fund, and with what result.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to finding employment for suitable men who served in the forces of the Crown for at least a year or were wounded or disabled, he will ascertain from every Government Department how many places are at present filled by women who are not dependent on their salary for their livelihood and whose places could be filled by ex-service men?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information as to the private means of permanent members of the staffs of Government Departments. As regards the temporary members of these staffs, who alone can be discharged in order that they may be replaced by ex-service men, inquiries have already been made, as suggested, and have shown that the number of women who are not dependent on their salaries, and who are still retained in employment, is very small. Every such case is carefully scrutinised to secure that retention is allowed, as recommended by Lord Lytton's Committee, in those cases only in which it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the head of the office that such retention is essential in the interests of the public service.

Would it not be possible to set up a Committee to deal with these cases, as the head of the office might have a prejudice in favour of the ladies?

May I ask that the same rule be applied to men, and that if they have private income they shall be put on the same footing as the women? A woman who has £30 a year is considered to have private income. Does the Prime Minister consider that any woman can live on 12s. a week? May I ask that men with £30 private income should be put on the same footing?

Is it not a fact that women and non-service men do stand exactly on the same footing?

No.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Irish Ex-Service Government Clerks' Union report, as lately as yesterday, that there is a temporary staff of 81–60 women and 21 non-service men—retained by the Department of Agriculture in Ireland?

Is not that a compliment to the women?

It is a violation of Lord Lytton's Interim Report.

asked the Prime Minister how matters now stand with reference to the employment of ex-service men in the building trade: and whether the Government intend to take any further steps in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. Since the building trade unions rejected the Government's proposal on this subject, the Government has been in communication with the National Federation of Building Trades' Employers. A scheme for the employment of ex-service men in the building trades has been recommended by the federation to its members for acceptance, and a ballot on the proposals is now being taken. It is expected that the result of the ballot will be reported early next week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to explain this before the House rises for Easter?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question late next week, I will endeavour to give him a reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon the trade unions concerned that if other similar industrial and professional organisations adopted the same line as these particular trade unions, it would be utterly impossible for ex-service men to regain their position in the civil life of this country?

asked the Chief Secretary how many soldiers have been settled in Ireland under the Land for Irish Soldiers Act; if he will give the number according to provinces; whether a representative of the Estates Commission entered into negotiations with a number of ex-service men of Newmarket, county Cork; whether the ex-soldiers signed documents expressing their willingness to take up land from the Commission; if so, whether this has been followed by letters to the landowners stating that if they sell land for this purpose they will be shot; if similar letters have been sent to the ex-service men forbidding them to accept land from the Estates Commission on penalty of death; and whether negotiations for the settlement of these ex-soldiers are still proceeding.

The total numbers of ex-service men actually put in possession of holdings, or of cottages and allotments, are as follow:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether two armed members of the Royal Irish Constabulary entered the house of Mr. Robert Dixon, J.P., of Milltown, Dunlevin, Co. Wicklow, at 12.30 a.m. on 2nd February last, demanded money, killed him, and wounded his son, an ex-officer: whether one of these constables after- wards killed himself; whether the second has been arrested; whether he has been tried, and with what result; and whether these men were members of the Auxiliary Division?

rose, wearing in his buttonhole a sprig of shamrock.

Why is the right hon. Gentleman wearing shamrock?

Take out that shamrock! Do not be insulting to Ireland.

I hope that the beneficent influence of a great Christian national saint may permeate Ireland.

A constable has been arrested in connection with this crime and with the murder of Mr. Robert Dixon, and is at present awaiting trial on the capital charge. Another constable who is believed to have been implicated committed suicide on the day following the murder. Neither of these men was a member of the Auxiliary Division.

When will the court-martial take place?

In answer to that and similar questions, I may say that the courts-martial are set up by the Commander-in-Chief, and I must naturally await his decision in regard to these counts.

How long do you wait when it is an Irishman who is affected?

Is there any intention on the part of the Government to compensate the family of this murdered gentleman who have been to my knowledge reduced very greatly in circumstances by the death of their breadwinner?

I am aware of the most distressing circumstances which followed this brutal murder, and I have the matter under consideration. It is one of the matters of compensation in regard to which I have no funds, and I may have to come to the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not wait until the crime is proved?

It is the consequences of the crime I was dealing with. I mean the murder of the head of the family, whoever committed the murder.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now aware that John O'Connor, of Gloundaeagh, Farranfore, County Kerry, was arrested on 15th December last whilst on his way to church, and driven away in a motor lorry; that he was beaten while in the lorry, thrown from the lorry into the road, fired on, and wounded; that civilians then carried him into the house of Thomas Brosnan, Threegneves, Currow, Farranfore, where he was tended by the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan, of Killentierna, Farranfore; that four officers returned from Farranfore, to which place the lorry had proceeded, in a motor car, and, on ascertaining from the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan where O'Connor lay wounded, entered Brosnan's house and murdered O'Connor by firing three revolver bullets into his head; whether he is aware that the Rev J. J. O'Sullivan, Mr. Brosnan, and other eye-witnesses are prepared to testify to the foregoing farts on oath; whether an inquiry has been held: whether these witnesses were called; what was the finding; what action, if any, has been taken; and whether any compensation is to be paid to the widow and seven children of the murdered man?

I regret that I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to postpone, this question. The matter arose in a martial law area, and I must await the report of the Commander-in-Chief.

What is the cause of this terrible delay in the case of this very brutal murder? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been in correspondence with him for four months, and he always says that he is waiting for a reply, and does it not look as if there was deliberate baulking of justice in putting off this inquiry?

I can assure the hon. Member that there is no such sinister motive in this. The real reason for the delay in answering this and other questions is that there is a state of rebellion in this part of Ireland.

Is not that all the more reason why a delay of four months should not elapse between the murder of an Irish farmer and the taking of any steps by the right hon. Gentleman? Does not the existence of a state of rebellion make it all the more necessary that the law should be respected? It is disgraceful—four months' delay!

asked the Chief Secretary whether Alderman George Clancy, Mayor of Limerick, and Mr. Michael O'Callaghan, an ex-Mayor of that city, were murdered by Sinn Feiners on the 7th instant; and, in view of the fact that foreign money is being paid to those who commit murder and other crimes in Ireland, will he consider the question of deporting all persons who are not British subjects from Ireland except those who may be granted permission to remain in that country?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to this case except that no evidence has been forthcoming in support of the allegation that these men were murdered by members of the Crown Forces.

On a point of Order. I wish to ask whether it is not a well recognised rule in this House that an hon. Member who puts a question on the Paper should make himself responsible for the accuracy of the statements contained therein? I beg, Mr. Speaker, to call your attention to the fact that the hon. and gallant Member made a statement in this question for which he has no foundation and cannot possibly have any foundation, namely, that these two gentlemen were murdered by Sinn Feiners. The Chief Secretary has replied that he is not prepared to admit that the police committed these murders. Does he accept the suggsstion in this question that the murders were committed by Sinn Feiners? In any event—

Is the hon. Gentleman addressing me, or is he making a speech?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman entitled to make a statement in this question for which he has not, and cannot possibly have, any foundation?

The hon. Member says there is no foundation for the statement. How does he know that?

Because I asked him.

An hon. Member puts a question down on his own responsibility and upon the knowledge he has acquired.

I am asking generally for information. I heard from Irishmen that these two men were murdered by Sinn Feiners. I am asking for definite, information, and am not expressing any opinion as to what happened. I think the British public have a right to know.

If they had been murdered by policemen, you would not want to know.

asked the Chief Secretary whether during curfew hours on 26th February the rooms of the Cork branch of the Irish Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers were broken into by the military: whether much damage was done; whether £15 17s. l0d. was stolen; whether the secretary's drawer was forced open and another £10 stolen; whether on Monday, 28th February, the same premises were entered by the military and the men ordered out, all searched, and in some cases beaten; and what action he has taken or proposes to take in the circumstances?

On 26th February, 1921, after curfew hours, the offices of the Cork branch of the Federation of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors were searched by troops, but no money was taken. On Monday, 28th February, 1921, following the murder of unarmed soldiers in the streets of Cork on that date, a number of suspected persons were seen to enter these premises. In consequence, the place was surrounded and all the occupants were taken to St. Patrick's Bridge and searched. It is possible that the attitude of the search party on this occasion was influenced by natural exasperation at the cowardly murders which had taken place, and a thorough investigation will be made into the complaint of the beating of disabled men. Such persons as may be held responsible will certainly be dealt with.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this money was stolen? It was in the premises of the branch of the discharged soldiers when the military entered, and it was not there when they left. In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman admits the other facts in this question, facts obtained direct from a branch of the federation which I myself started, is not the inference that the money was taken?

I cannot deal with inferences. I have given an answer prepared by the Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, and I cannot add to it. If the hon. Gentleman would like me to make further inquiry into the matter, I shall be glad to do so.

My right hon. Friend has promised an inquiry into the beating of the discharged men. Will he inquire into the stealing of their funds?

I have said so. I will take the matter up again.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the constabulary who arrested John Lawlor, a clerical student in the streets of Listowel, county Kerry, on 1st January, and beat him to death, have yet been brought to trial for murder?

The circumstances attending the death of this man were investigated by a Military Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest, which found that the cause of death was a blow inflicted by some person or persons unknown. No charge of complicity in his death was made against the police. The police deny that he was ever arrested or in their custody.

Why is it that this case, which only occurred on the 1st January, was investigated, whereas the case of John O'Connor, which happened on the 15th December, is still awaiting evidence?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to report the result of the Court of Inquiry into the case of John Moran, Drogheda, whose home was entered in the early hours of the morning by armed forces of the Crown, and who was marched from his residence to a place known as Weir Hope and shot; and that when his body was discovered in the morning it was found that practically the whole of his stomach had been blown away and his chest riddled with bullets?

The Military Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest which investigated the circumstances attending the deaths of these men found that they were both murdered by some person or persons unknown. The court considered all the evidence available, but civilians declined to give evidence, with the exception of the doctors, who certified cause of death, and the relatives, who gave evidence of identification only.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these was a legal member of this court, and if there ever is a legal member of these courts?

Is it not public knowledge in the district that these murders were committed by men who left the barracks in Government lorries?

I do not accept what the hon. Member calls "public knowledge." I must base my replies on the information I receive.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the auxiliary police who raided the La Salle monastery at Dunmanway, county Cork, on 20th January, attempted to assassinate the Rev. Brother Cormac, and succeeded in wounding him seriously, have yet been brought to trial?

Brother Cormac was wounded by auxiliary police on the 21st of January during an authorised search, in the course of which the residence of the Christian Brothers in Dunmanway was visited. According to the police report, which is fully confirmed by his own statement, he was in the act of running away when a shot was fired, which wounded him in the hands. The suggestion that an attempt was made to assassinate him is simply untrue.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an attempt was made on the 8th instant to murder two policemen who were on duty outside St. Columb's Church, Dublin; and, if so, whether any arrests have been made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. One of the attackers is known to have been wounded by the police who returned the fire directed at them, but I regret that it has not been possible to make any arrests.

asked the Chief Secretary whether two ex-soldiers, named James Maher and P. Meara, were murdered in Co. Tipperary last week; whether a paper bearing the word "Spy" was pinned to Meara's coat; and whether any arrests have been made?

asked the Chief Secretary whether James Mahon, of Thurles, and Patrick Meare, who were shot dead at Ballytarsna on 9th March as spies by persons describing themselves as members of a Republican Army belonged to any combatant force; whether any reason is known for their murder except that they had served formerly in His Majesty's forces; and whether there is any indication that they bore arms at the time they were attacked or that they had any opportunity of defending themselves from their assassins?

According to the police report both these men, who were ex-soldiers, were found dead in a field near Ballinure, Co. Tipperary, on the 9th instant, their bodies being riddled with bullets. An envelope with the inscription "Spy" was found attached to each of the bodies. Nothing further is known of the circumstances of their deaths, and I regret to state that no arrests have yet been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that he is able to give answers to questions by hon. Gentlemen opposite about an event that happened a week ago, and cannot answer questions by us about events which happened months ago?

In answer to that supplementary question of the hon. and learned Gentleman, I can say that, when a question is asked raising a matter in a martial law area, namely, the Province of Munster, it necessarily takes a longer time to secure an answer than it does in a comparatively quiet county close to Dublin.

Is the Chief Secretary aware that Tipperary is in Munster? If he does not know, I can tell him.

I am always glad to receive geographical information from the hon. and learned Gentleman.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on the 9th instant Francis McPhillips, of Aghaboy, Co. Monaghan, was taken from his house by masked men and shot dead, and that his dead body was afterwards found with a card pinned to his clothing stating that he had been tried, convicted, and executed by the Irish Republican Army because he was an informer; and what steps the Government propose to take to prevent Sinn Fein murders, which are now a matter of daily occurrence?

I have not yet received the report of the Court of Inquiry in this case, but according to the police report the facts of this murder are as stated in the question. In regard to the latter part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that no effort is being spared to cope with the campaign of murder which has claimed as victims so many loyal servants of the Crown and innocent civilians.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have taken place in connection with the murder of Thomas Bradfield, a Protestant farmer, aged 57, of Knockmacool House, Desertserges, who was murdered on the 2nd February?

I regret to state that no arrests have yet been made in connection with this murder.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that a large number of Protestants have recently been murdered in Co. Cork?

I regret the murder of anybody, and I am doing my best in every case to secure the murderers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord Chief Justice at Cork deplored the hopelessness, futility, and helplessness of His Majesty's Government in preventing these murders?

I did not see that statement.

It is there all right.

I hope the Noble Lord will assist the Government in its struggle.

The best assistance for a better Government for Ireland would be for the right hon. Gentleman to retire.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to the fact that the Irish Questions go from 56 to 123, and could not the advisability be considered of taking a ballot for them?

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have yet been made in connection with the murder of Patrick Lyons, an ex-soldier, aged 45 years, who was taken from his home at Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon, on the night of Saturday, 19th February, by masked and armed strangers, and who was found in a field on the Sunday morning unconscious, and who died in Castlerea hospital the following day?

I regret that no arrests have yet been made in connection with this brutal murder.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information respecting the condition of the five men of the Bedfordshire Regiment and the two policemen who were badly wounded in an ambush near Killclare village on the morning of 4th March last?

One officer and four other ranks of the Bedfordshire Regiment and one police constable were wounded on this occasion. The officer died from the effects of his wounds on the night of the 4th instant. The other wounded men are, I am glad to say, progressing favourably. No known casualties among the attacking party.

asked the Chief Secretary whether on Friday, the 4th instant, a train conveying jurors to Waterford Assizes was fired upon by armed Sinn Feiners near Durrow Junction; whether two soldiers were wounded on the occasion; whether a train carrying a detachment of the 1st Bedfordshire and Herts Regiment was also fired up as it left Kilfree Junction, Sligo; and whether any arrests in connection with these attacks have yet been made?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative and to the last part in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Newry corps of special constables has been disbanded; and whether, with a few exceptions, all of them have merely been transferred to other corps?

asked the Chief Secretary whether a police patrol was fired at in the town of Newry on the night of 8th March by Sinn Feiners; whether a quantity of ammunition was found at the spot where the crowd challenged by the police patrol had been standing; and whether any arrests in connection with the affair have been made?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to looting and robbry by special constables in Newry; whether an independent and public inquiry will be held at which evidence may be given on oath; whether he has now ascertained if Newry is classed as a first-class police station and Enniscorthy as a third-class station; whether it is intended to persist in the removal of District-Inspector Barrington from Newry to Enniscorthy; and, if so, for what reason?

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the 8th instant, when the congregation was dispersing after service in the Newry Cathedral, the special constables opened fire on the people, with the result that four were wounded; whether he is aware that no provocation whatever was given and that scores of witnesses are prepared to testify to that fact at a sworn inquiry; and whether such an inquiry will now be held?

asked the Chief Secretary whether any cases of looting or robbery by special constables have taken place in Clones; whether his attention has been called to the statement that several special constables were killed and injured by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who had surprised them in the act of robbery; whether he can state, from the identification of the wounded constables, the station from which they set out; what officers allowed them to use Government lorries and Government petrol on that expedition; and whether any of them have been brought to justice?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that 25 special constables in Newry entered the House of Mrs. Andrew Boyd, who was in a delicate state and under the care of a nurse; that these two ladies and a baby were the only occupants of the house; that the two ladies were compelled to stand for nearly two hours with their hands over their heads whilst two of the constables stood over them with pointed revolvers; whether the remainder of the raiding police meanwhile stole jewellery, clothing, tablecloths, and bedclothes, to the value of over £100; whether a constable, whom she identifies as one of the raiders, refused to admit her to the barracks next day to lodge a complaint; and what action has been taken in the matter?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on 24th December a special constable in mufti entered Mr. John Quinn's shop in Newry and presented a revolver at a young man named Delaney, threatening to shoot him if he looked insubordinately at the constable and that the constable was followed by the Rev. Francis O'Hare, a Newry clergyman, who subsequently charged him with the offence; whether this constable has been put on trial; if so, whether the witnesses had any opportunity of giving evidence against him; what has been the result of the trial, if any; whether another special constable subsequently presented a revolver at Father O'Hare and threatened to shoot him; and whether any steps have been or will be taken to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Newry from policemen of this type?

As the answer to these questions is very lengthy, covering two typewritten foolscap pages, I would ask hon. Members to allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask whether the Chief Secretary is entitled to take this method of burking inquiry. A large number of questions has appeared with regard to the conduct of the Government with regard to this Newry matter. When the matter is raised he endeavours to evade all questioning by grouping all the questions into one and then asking that the answer should be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I respectfully submit that the Chief Secretary should be required to answer the questions on the Paper without any further attempt to conceal the facts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the special constables referred to in Question 100?

I have not the slightest objection to reading the answer.

I think that the right hon. Gentleman had perhaps better read it.

There is a number of questions on the Paper bearing on the Ulster Special Constabulary, and with the permission of the House I will, for the sake of economy of time, deal with them in a single reply. That certain acts of indiscipline and misconduct have occurred is, I regret to state, true, but with two exceptions these acts have been confined to a single district, the district of Newry, and as I shall show they have been very promptly and drastically dealt with. The two exceptions were the incident at Clones, County Monaghan, on the 22nd January last, referred to in the question by the hon. Member for the Holland-with-Boston Division, and a case of alleged larceny which occurred at Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, on the 19th January.

A full and searching official investigation was held into these incidents and the conclusion come to was that the same party of men were concerned in both cases. All the men against whom there is any reasonable suspicion of guilt have been arrested and are at present awaiting trial. As regards the various allegations of looting and robbery mentioned in the question of the hon. Member for the South Down Division, every one of these cases has been carefully enquired into. A full identification parade was held and every member of the special constabulary identified by one or other of the complainants or against whom any proof other than identification was available was at once arrested by the civil police and all the men arrested are now awaiting trial by court martial. A civilian suspected of complicity in these robberies has also been arrested and is awaiting trial. According to reports which I have obtained the allegations of threatening and robbery contained in the questions of the hon. Member for Seaham Division and the hon. Member for Morpeth Division respectively are entirely unfounded, but in the case brought forward by the hon. Member for the Seaham Division the constable in question was fined for unnecessarily subjecting one of the civilians named to indignity in public.

How much was he fined? Five shillings?

An official inquiry into the state of the Special Constabulary Force at Newry has since been held by the Divisional Commissioner of Police for Ulster and drastic action has been taken to prevent any recrudescence of indiscipline. The Newry Force has been entirely reconstructed, and two platoon officers have resigned. Neither of these officers was personally involved in any act of misconduct.

With regard to the question by the hon. Member for the Central Aberdeen Division, alleging that so recently as the 8th instant a party of special constabulary in Newry fired without cause or provocation on a body of men who were leaving the Cathedral, a police report which I have received puts a very different complexion on this affair. It appears that a patrol consisting of an officer and sixteen constables were proceeding along Hill Street about 10 p.m. on that night when they observed two bodies of men, one numbering about twenty and the other about fifty, on either side of an open square named the "Car Stand." Apprehending trouble the police called upon both crowds to halt and hold up their hands. Instead of complying the crowds attempted to disperse and a shot was fired from the party at the right side of the square. The police fired several shots in reply, and three men were wounded. One of the wounded men had his hand badly lacerated by a wound which was not a bullet wound and would appear to have been caused by an explosive thrown by some persons in the crowd. A quantity of revolver ammunition which had evidently-been discarded by some of the fugitives was found in the street. In the light of these facts I think the House will agree that the firing by the police was a justifiable act of necessary precaution and self-defence. In regard to the removal of District Inspector Barrington from Newry to Enniscorthy, I have nothing to add to what I said in reply to a question by the hon. Member for South Down on the 7th instant. Mr. Barrington retains his rank as a first-class District Inspector and has not suffered in any way by his transfer to another district:

Will the Chief Secretary answer the question which was put, whether he has now ascertained if Newry is a first-class police station and Enniscorthy is a third-class police station, and was District Inspector Barrington removed from a first to a third-class police station after he had brought these robbers and looters among the police to justice?

I have answered the question fully and I hope frankly.

Has the right hon. Gentleman now discovered, though he denied it on the last occasion, that Newry is a first-class police station and Enniscorthy is a third-class police station? Is there any answer to that question?

Surely after all the House is entitled to a plain answer to a plain question, and my right hon. Friend ought to know, is the one place a first-class and the other a third-class police station?

I cannot answer that offhand. I have answered all the questions asked.

It is on the Paper.

The answer was a carefully prepared answer to a series of questions dealing with Newry. My experience in this House warns me—

Not to tell the truth. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw!"]

On a point of Order. Is a Member of this House entitled to charge a Minister of the Crown with making a statement that is untrue?

I was unfortunately engaged in conversation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the moment the expression complained of was used, and I did not catch it, I am sorry to say. If it was such as the hon. Member describes, of course an hon. Member would not be entitled to use it.

Withdraw!

No, I will not. I stand by it.

Will the Chief Secretary answer another question which appears on the Paper, and which he has also evaded—whether part of the stolen property was found in the barracks of the police constables?

I can only repeat that I have given a very carefully prepared reply. If the hon. Member would like a special answer on this point I hope that he will put down a question and I will do my best.

Will the Chief Secretary give us the names of the special constables wounded in the Clones affair when the Royal Irish Constabulary caught these special constables red-handed in robbery and looting?

Obviously, I cannot give those names off hand. Perhaps the hon Member will put down a question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will take steps to stop the Sinn Fein propaganda that is being pursued by not only a certain section of the English Press, but also by the Press in Ireland, in view of the fact that this propaganda is causing much unrest in that country and is the cause of much crime and unhappiness there, and that it is not in the best interests of the Empire or Ireland that this should continue?

I am in entire agreement with the hon. and gallant Member as to the mischievous nature of this propaganda, but I am convinced that the Government are taking the most effective means for counteracting it by keeping the public as fully informed as possible of the actual truth as regards events and conditions in Ireland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a definition of Sinn Fein propaganda?

If the right hon. Gentleman desires to keep us informed of events, when does he propose to publish the Strickland Report?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the number of former head-constables, sergeants, and constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary who acted as clerks while serving in the force and who are now unemployed through no fault of their own; and whether he will consider the desirability of recommending these poor pensioners for employment in the recruiting offices in Great Britain for the Royal Irish Constabulary and also in the Pensions Increase Branch at Dublin Castle, where a number of the rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the active list are now acting as temporary clerks?

No statistics are available as regards the first part of the question, but it is believed that the number of such pensioners now suitable for, and unable to obtain, clerical employment is, I believe, very small. Such pensioners are already employed, as far as practicable, in the Royal Irish Constabulary recruiting offices in. Great Britain. No active members of the Royal Irish Constabulary are employed in the Pensions (Increase) Office, which is staffed with ex-service men supplied by the Ministry of Labour.

Would the right hon. Gentleman see that these men are put on the same footing as ex-service men with regard to employment?

As far as I am concerned, in Ireland they are; but, as far as the Ministry of Labour is concerned, it is a matter for the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, at a deputation of pensioners of the Irish police on 8th July, 1920, he was urged to introduce into the Pensions (Increase) Bill, then before the House, Amendments for abolishing the age limit of 60 years, for eliminating the provisions as to the limit of means, and for increasing the pensions of men who retired before 1st April, 1919, so as to correspond with those of men retiring after that date; whether he informed the deputation that they had proved their case up to the hilt to his satisfaction; that, owing to the ostracism to which they were subjected in Ireland as regards employment, their case stood on quite a different footing from that of men similarly circumstanced in England, and that he will urge on the Government the claims of the pensioners of the Irish police for special treatment; and whether he will state the result of his representations to the Government?

The deputation referred to made representations to the effect stated in the first part of the question. My promise to the deputation was that I would urge upon His Majesty's Government the claims of Irish police pensioners for special treatment; this I did, and the question of such special treatment was afterwards very fully considered in connection with the Pensions (Increase) Act of last year, but, as the hon. and learned Member is aware, it was not possible to establish a case in favour of it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether his answer to the deputation is correctly stated in the question, namely, that he said that they had proved their case up to the hilt to his satisfaction, and that owing to the ostracism to which they were subjected they stood on quite a different footing from men similarly circumstanced in England?

My view was then and is now that the pensioner of the Royal Irish Constabulary does stand on a different footing in Ireland, because, having served loyally, he is looked upon in certain parts of Ireland, I regret so say, with antipathy, and his hope of employment is not the same as that of the discharged policeman in England.

Will the right hon. Gentleman once more urge upon the Treasury the absolute necessity of keeping these faithful servants of the Crown from starvation?

I would ask the hon. and learned Gentleman to raise that question himself and try to persuade the House of Commons to do what he suggests.

As it is the fact that these ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary cannot find employment, would the right hon. Gentleman not consider the raising of their pensions? Many of these men are facing starvation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether all males have been paraded by the Crown forces in certain parts of the martial law areas and put to forced labour; whether they are also formed into so-called patrols and informed that they will be held responsible for any act of lawlessness committed in their respective areas; and whether this treatment of the citizens has driven many well-disposed persons into the republican army?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General to questions on this subject by the hon. Member for the Falls Division on the 21st February.

Is there any reply to the last part of the question, as to whether peaceable men and well-disposed citizens have been driven into the republican army by this treatment?

I am not aware of that, and I do not believe it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this practice is in direct violation of the rules of war as laid down by the Hague Convention?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received any report as to the health of the prisoners in internment camps: and whether he can state how many deaths have occurred, and from what causes?

Periodical medical reports on all internment camps are rendered to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and in addition a daily report is made as to the number of admissions to hospital. In addition to the two men who were shot at Ballykinlar by a sentry acting in the discharge of his duty, there has been one death at this camp from heart disease and two deaths at Galway from influenza. No other deaths have occurred.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the reason for the delay in fixing the appointed day for Northern Ireland; and whether he can now state when the Government intend to fix the appointed day?

Good progress has been made with the necessary preliminary work, and an Order in Council fixing the day from which certain provisions of the Act, including those relating to the establishment of the new Parliaments are to come into operation will be issued at a very early date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when the early date will be? "An early date" may mean any time within five years.

We will announce the date in a very short time.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not explore the possibility of securing an immediate peace on the understanding that the elections to be held in June shall be for a Constituent Assembly, and not for the Parliaments, that Constituent Assembly to have the power of settling the whole constitution of Ireland?

They both have very large powers, and, as a matter of fact, if my Noble Friend will look at the Act itself, he will find they have the powers of a Constituent Assembly within limits, and no Constituent Assembly that anyone would set up in Ireland would be given the power of setting up any constitution without reference to the United Kingdom.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the present provisions of the Act are hated and detested by every section of the community in Ireland?

That is probably because they have never been read.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution passed last week by the National Council of Evangelical Free Churches, condemning the practice of reprisals because it substitutes vengeance for justice, exasperates the animosities already existing, discredits the name of Great Britain throughout the world, and gravely prejudices all attempts to create a spirit of conciliation between our own and other countries; and whether he will put an end to these practices, which are abhorrent to the conscience of the country?

I can add nothing to what I have already said on this subject.

Is not the present unhappy condition of Ireland due entirely to the failure of statesmanship on the part of the right hon. Gentleman?

That is rather a big assumption.

Could the right hon. Gentleman define, for the benefit of the House, what is meant by an "official reprisal"?

I have never used the word. Let those who have used it give their own definition.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of official reprisals?

I never used the term.

Do you approve of them?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the s. s. "Huallaga," which is only equipped for 120 passengers, sailed from Avonmouth to Peru on 12th December last, carrying 202 British emigrants, including a number of infants under two years of age; that no suitable food was procurable on the voyage for the infants on board; and whether, in view of the fact that the emigrants and their families had been induced by the representatives of the Peruvian Government to leave this country by assurances of employment which had not been realised, the Government will take steps to protect British emigrants from similar misrepresentations in future?

I have been asked to reply to this question. From the information at present available, it would appear that the facts regarding the voyage of the s. s. "Huallaga" are subsantially as stated by my hon. Friend. Further inquiries are, however, being made on the subject. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government have invited the attention of the International Emigration Commission to the unfortunate experiences of British emigrants who have recently been induced to proceed to Peru (as described in Section XIV of the Report of the Oversea Settlement Committee, Cmd. 1134), and they hope that the Commission may formulate proposals for preventing future abuses of this nature.

May I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that many of these emigrants are now stranded with their families without resources, some provision may not be made for their passage to England—those of them, at any rate, who are desirous of returning to this country?

Yes. We have been drawing the attention of the Peruvian Government to their responsibility in the matter, and I hope we may be able to get some satisfaction from them.

Will the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that he has recommended emigration, provide better conditions for the emigrants?

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that about £200,000,000 sterling has been spent, or authorised to be spent, on housing schemes approved by the Government, and that while it is certain that the greater part of this sum will fall on the taxpayer, no estimate of the public charge has been made; and, seeing that the country cannot afford to spend money without even counting approximately the cost, can the position be reconsidered?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. There is no foundation for the statement that the cost of the housing scheme is not even approximately known. For the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member on the 10th March, it is not possible to make an estimate of the "present capital value of the ultimate exchequer liability," but it is, of course, possible to state the annual charge on the Exchequer at prevailing rates of interest and rent. It is calculated that the maximum immediate charge on the Exchequer so far as the £200,000,000 is concerned, is approximately £10,000,000 per annum. It is to be anticipated that in the future rents will increase. Moreover, should it become possible in respect of the many short term borrowings to re-borrow at a lower rate of interest, a fall of 1 per cent. in the rate of interest paid would represent a reduction of about 3s. per week per house in the Exchequer liability. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that a substantial reduction in the cost of housing has been effected during recent months. No contracts are being let except at a considerable reduction in the prices prevailing last year.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that recently a request was forwarded to him to receive a deputation of influential business men with regard to the approaching expiration of the provisions restricting the rents, of business premises; that those who made the request were referred to the Minister of Health; and that in turn the Minister of Health replied that he had no responsibility on this question; and whether he will state which Department or Minister will receive the deputation and give consideration to their views?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that, in anticipation of the expiration of the law restricting the rents of business premises, notices to quit are being issued to tenants with a view to the rents being substantially increased; that in one case, where the present rent is £68 per year, the owner has expressed his intention of demanding a rent of £250 as an alter native to eviction; and whether the Government will reconsider the decision to take no action to continue the operation of the provision in question?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that recently a large meeting of tenants of business premises in Manchester passed a resolution asking for the extension of the present protection for at least two years, as in the case of dwelling-houses, and also asking for legislation on the lines recommended by the Select Committee on business premises; and whether the Government will give this matter further consideration?

I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to the replies which have already been given on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister how soon the Government will redeem the pledge given to the Local Government Officers' Associations last year that a Superannuation Bill for local government officers was then in course of preparation and would be introduced at an early date?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on Tuesday last to the question of the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. H. Morrison), of which I am sending him a copy.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in making that reply, he had in mind the statement he made to the deputation of municipal corporations on the 14th October that, with the consent of a Cabinet Committee, a Bill was then in draft and was shortly to be presented to the House?

I would like to have notice of that. The matter would involve under any circumstances substantial charges on the rates.

asked the Prime Minister what reply has been received from His Highness the Sultan of Egypt to the telegram addressed to him informing him that the British Government is of opinion that the basis of a British Protectorate is no longer adhered to by the British Government and inviting him to nominate persons to confer with the British Government regarding a new basis for regulating the relations between Egypt and this country; who has been nominated; when the conferences are likely to begin; and who will conduct the negotiations on behalf of the British Government?

No reply has yet been received from the Sultan, and consequently I cannot give the names of the Egyptian representatives nor fix a definite date for the Conferences, which will probably take place in May. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will himself supervise the proceedings.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague is still in existence; and whether the spheres of jurisdiction or influence of that body and of the Court of International Justice of the League of Nations have been, will be, or can be defined?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The spheres of the two Courts have not been expressly denned, but the Statute of the new Court provides that it shall be additional to the old. The absorption of the old Court by the new can only be a matter of slow development; joint working is, however provided for.

Is there any authority on earth that can decide between two Courts of such exalted status?

asked the Prime Minister what are the duties and hours of work of the 363 employés of the League of Nations; what proportion of their emoluments are paid as frais de représentation ; and whether such proportion is free of tax?