§ MR. P. J. SMYTHasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If it be true, as stated in Dublin newspapers, that a Royal Commission had been appointed to inquire into the grievances alleged to exist in the Royal Irish Constabulary Force; and, if so, if he will state the names of the Commissioners?
§ MR. MAGUIREasked, Whether it was a fact that there were at the present moment 1,000 vacancies, more or less, in the Force? and, if so, why those vacancies existed?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, it had been decided to refer the complaint which had been received from the Royal Irish Constabulary, and also from the Dublin Metropolitan Police, on the inadequacy of their pay, to a Commission about to be appointed for the purpose of investigating similar complaints from the Irish Civil Service. He tad been enagaged for some time in endeavouring to procure the service of what he believed would be competent Commissioners, but he was not able as yet to communicate their names to the House. He hoped, however, in a few days to be in a position to do so. He was not able, especially without Notice, to answer the Question of the hon. Member for the county of Cork. He was aware there was a considerable number of vacancies in the Royal Irish Constabulary, but he did not think they were anything like the number stated.