§ MR. BERESFORD (for Colonel KINGHARMAN)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true that an order has been issued stating that, although men belonging to the Army Reserve, who have been serving in the Auxiliary Constabulary Force, are eligible for re-engagement in the Royal Irish Constabulary, such men are not to be re-engaged as long as there are other candidates for vacancies in the Force; and, whether, as there are now a large number of candidates for admission into the Constabulary, this order is not tantamount to a dismissal of the men who joined the Force and rendered good service in difficult and dangerous times?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe Inspector General is of opinion that, so long as there are plenty of other candidates, it is for the interest of the Constabulary Force as a general rule not to accept Army Reserve men for permanent service in it; but that in individual cases circumstances may justify exceptions being made. The officer who is respon- 136 sible for recruiting has been so informed, and he is allowed to exercise his discretion in the cases which come before him. As to the latter part of the Question, it is certainly neither tantamount to dismissal nor the least injustice to discharge any of the temporary Auxiliary Force who are not further required. They were engaged upon the distinct understanding that they might at any time be discharged upon six months' notice. The limit of hge for Constabulary recruits is 18 to 27 years.