asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that considerable difficulty is being experienced by many citizens in securing the return of guns which were taken by British Forces in pre-Truce days, and also in tracing guns taken by or on the authority of the I. R. A., and if he is prepared to recommend that fair compensation be allowed to persons whose guns have been taken by the British or Irish authorities where they are now unable to trace or return same.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RETURN OF GUNS.
The return of arms to owners who possess receipts for their surrender and who now hold licences to possess them is proceeding as rapidly as the arms can be traced. As regards the arms taken by British Forces, a new and more expeditious procedure is being instituted. In due course this will be notified by advertisement in the Press.
The question of granting compensation to persons whose arms were taken by the I. R. A. and cannot now be traced is under consideration. In the case of persons whose arms were surrendered to British Forces, it is understood that compensation will be paid by the British Government if the arms are not returned.