§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I desire to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can give the House any information on a matter of very great public interest in Ireland. It is, Whether there is any truth in the statement which was published yesterday, that seven members of the Constabulary Force in the South of Ireland resigned their position, and in doing so placed their names to a paper, stating that the proposed Coercion Act of the Government would render the position of the Irish Constabulary intolerable, and that they must decline to be the instruments of carrying out any further evictions which they know to be unjust?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I believe, but I am not quite sure, that the number is as stated. I believe it is true that certain members of the Constabulary Force have resigned. I believe they object to their position; but whether they have made any comments on the proposals of the Government I am not aware. I will inquire if the hon. Member desires.