RESOLUTION. (Hansard, 3 May 1883)

§ MR. TREVELYAN
said, that by the indulgence of the House he proposed to ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend the laws relating to the payment of salaries and pensions to the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police, and for other purposes. He should be very unwilling, at a moment like this, to intrude a financial matter on the House; but the question was one of very great importance. Owing to circumstances into which it was unnecessary to enter now, the increase to the pay and pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary had been deferred, not longer than was necessary, but still a very long time. [Interruption.] Ho was not anxious to press any observations at this stage of the Bill, upon an unwilling House; but it was very important that he should obtain leave to introduce the measure to-night. The subject could be thoroughly discussed on the second reading. The object of the Bill 1826 was to grant a considerable increase to the pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and very much to improve their pensions. Unless there was some very strong objection — which he scarcely thought there would be—he should be glad to pass the Bill through, its first stage to-night.

§ MR. PARNELL
said, he understood that no Notice of this Motion had been given by the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, or, at any rate, he (Mr. Parnell) had been unable to find it in the Order Book. In any case, he thought the right hon. Gentleman would see that, after such a division as they had just had, and when the House was so much occupied with other considerations, it would not be fair in him to press his Motion with regard to this very important Bill upon the House. The House was in a very distracted condition; and, under the circumstances, he would move the adjournment of the debate.

§ MR. TREVELYAN
said, that in carrying on the Business of the House it was necessary to make concessions on all sides. It was not correct, as was implied by the hon. Member for the City of Cork, that no Notice had been given of this Motion. On Wednesday last he (Mr. Trevelyan) had given very distinct Notice to the House that he should make a few observations on the subject, and introduce the Bill. That communication was made to the hon. Member for Sligo (Mr. Sexton) and his Friends. It was the regular custom in regard to Bills which contained money clauses that, directly after the preliminary Committee stage was taken, the Bill should be introduced. But he did not wish to take any advantage of hon. Members. If, at this time of night, hon. Members who were interested in the subject were not prepared for this statement which had been definitely promised in his name, on the understanding that hon. Members would allow the first stage to be taken to-morrow, at whatever hour the Bill was reached, ho would not oppose the 1827 adjournment of the debate. He was anxious, in the interests of the Irish Constabulary, that no further time should be lost in dealing with this subject.

§ MR. LEWIS
said, he hoped the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman would be acceded to, as, no doubt, would all persons who were anxious for the proper administration of law and justice and protection of life and property in Ireland. The police of Ireland were deserving of the support of all persons who were interested in the administration of the affairs of the country.

§ MR. O'DONNELL
Will not the Government leave this Bill to the new Cabinet?