§ LORD ELCHOasked whether the report that the appointment of Colonel Brackenbury to the office of Inspector General of Constabulary in Ireland had been cancelled was correct?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, he had every reason to believe that the report arose through misapprehension. Colonel Brackenbury had virtually been appointed Assistant Secretary for Crime and Order, and Colonel Bruce had been appointed to the head of the Constabulary.
§ MR. HEALYinquired whether it was intended to create a new Department of Crime and Order in the Castle?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, he was unwilling to make any extempore statement in answer to the Question; but he might say that there was no such intention. The assistance which Colonel Brackenbury, as Assistant Secretary, had been able to give the present Assistant Secretary was very great, and his position also enabled him to take a comprehensive view of the proceedings both of the Constabulary and the Dublin Police, and also to inquire into the detective department. As a proof that no addition would be made to the staff, he might state that the position of Deputy Inspector General would not be filled up, at any rate at present, because the Government were of opinion that two officers of the rank of Inspector and Deputy Inspector General were sufficient, and that they were now adequately represented with Colonel Brackenbury as Assistant Secretary, and Colonel Bruce as Inspector General.