§ MR. GIBSONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Commission appointed to inquire into the complaints of the Dublin Metropolitan Police has as yet formally reported; whether one of those complaints was that the Dublin Metropolitan Police had been excluded from the gratuity given to the constabulary for special services; whether the Commission has made any Report as to this complaint; and, if so, what is its purport; and, whether, having regard to the great strain now placed on the exertions and sense of duty of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, he will give prompt effect to any recommendations made by the Commission in favour of the force?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe Commission appointed to inquire into the complaints of the Dublin Metropolitan Police has not yet formally reported. One of the complaints was that the Metropolitan Police had been excluded from the gratuity given to the Constabulary. The Commission made a preliminary Report in reference to this complaint, recommending that the gratuity should be granted. Immediate attention has been given to that recommendation, and the Irish Government has obtained the assent of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to a gratuity not exceeding three months' pay being given to the men of the Dublin Metropolitan Police. Under the circumstances, the Government is prepared to advance the money out of civil contingencies—the amount to be repaid next Session out of a Vote which we shall present to the House, and which we hope will be sanctioned.