§ MR. GIBSONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland' Whether the Government has as yet decided on the changes in pay and promotion of the Royal Irish Constabulary recommended by the Commission on the subject; when such decision will be announced; and, whether, having regard to the disappointment of the officers in the Force at being entirely excluded from the recent Grant of £180,000, he will take care to expedite the amelioration of their position, pursuant to the proposals of the Commission?
§ MR. TREVELYANOn receipt of the Report of the Committee appointed by the late Lord Lieutenant, this subject received the prompt and careful attention of the Government, and a scheme based upon the recommendations of the Committee was prepared by my Predecessor (Mr. W. E. Forster) and submitted to the Treasury, and, in the main, approved. It was found, however, to require amendment in some important particulars, in the interests of the officers of the Force, and had to be referred back to the Committee on these points. The Government is most anxious to announce a final decision, which, however, as financial considerations are involved, will require the concurrence of the Treasury; but I will take care that the matter is expedited as far as possible.