HC Deb 02 May 1884 vol 287 cc1159-60
MR. LEAHY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in addition to six promotions made by Mr. Garrett, County Inspector of Armagh, to the ranks of sergeant and acting-sergeant, whereof five were of Protestants and only one of a Catholic, as already stated in an answer of the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, although the Catholics formed 59 per cent of the county force, the same inspector has since made six further promotions to the same ranks in the same county, whereof all were of Protestants, making altogether eleven promotions of Protestants and one of a Catholic, whilst Mr. Garrett had charge of the County Armagh Constabulary; whether Mr. Garrett was accustomed to place a number of Catholics at the bottom of his promotion list, so that if questioned on their exclusion from promotion, he could point to their occupying a low place on his list, whilst the upper places were all occupied by Protestants; and, whether he will inquire into these complaints?

MR. TREVELYAN

I find that there have been in the County of Armagh since the date of the former Question to which the hon. Member refers three promotions from the rank of acting-sergeant to that of sergeant. Promotions in this grade are, by the regulations of the Constabulary Force, made according to seniority, if the men are qualified. The three senior men were Protestants. As they were qualified, they were promoted. There have also been three constables promoted to be acting sergeants. These men also were Protestants. Two of them were the senior men of the rank, recommended by the District Inspectors. There was, therefore, only one promotion made out of the strict line of seniority. Mr. Garrett is not now County Inspector of Armagh, and the Notice given of this Question did not allow time for communication with him; but the Inspector General states that no doubt he considered the constable, who had upwards of 11 years' service, specially qualified for promotion. The Inspector General states that an inspection of Mr. Garrett's promotion lists shows that it is not the case that he was accustomed to place Roman Catholics in low places.