Plan to Blow Up Parliament

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 174, 26 July 1939, Page 6

Plan to Blow Up Parliament

Irish Terrorist

Plan of Campaign

REVELATIONS IN COMMONS United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, July 24. In the House of Commons the Home Miuister, Sir Samuel Hoare, in moving the second reading of the Prevention of Violence Bill, said that all Irish Republican Army outrages since January were based on the plan of campaign found by the police iu raids on houses la London. This showed that the I.R.A. had surveyed munition dumps and aerodromes and been engaged in a plan to blow up Parliament. The campaign was being stimulated by foreign organisations.

Sir Samuel reviewed terrorist activities as the worst way of influencing opinion, and he emphasised the skilful preparation of the plan. He added that loss of life had hitherto been miraculously avoided, partly owing to the courage and efficiency of the police. He pointed out, however, that the terrorists were becoming more astute and übiquitous and were preparing their campaign without taking into account human life, besides stimulating foreign organisations. and for this reason more drastic action was necessary.

The provisions, ho said, wero based on the action of Dominion Governments. Tho suggested methods of prevention were admittedly temporary in order to meet the emergency, though the Bill empowered the Executive to act when it lacked legal proof. He added that the "S" plan contained the sentence: "It must be shown that this is the time to strike England, which has never been in so critical a condition, being traditionally barred from adopting totalitarian methods, which arc the only way of ensuring security."

The plan also urged terrorists to attack Government offices and steal official notes.

He asked the House not to press for further details, but ho was confident the country approved and demanded more drastic action against the plotters. The deputy-leader of tho Opposition, Mr. A. Greenwood, agreed that terrorism would achieve nothing. Further powers, he said, were necessary to cope with the present ugiy situation, and for this reason Labour would not oppose the Bill, despite the enormous powers conferred on the Home Secretary.

Tho Bill passed the second reading by 21S to 17 votes.