§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the conference in Dublin of the representatives of the Royal Irish Constabulary as to the proposed terms of their dismissal under the Government of Ireland Bill has yet been held; if he has accorded them an interview; and if the Government propose in consequence to improve the conditions specified in the Bill in question?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY, New-castle-upon-Tyne)Conferences, representative of both officers and men, have been held in Dublin regarding their position under the Bill, and I have had the advantage of interviews with the representatives of the two sections of the Force with regard to the notices of Amendment placed on the Paper tonight. I fear, after giving the best consideration to the subject, that we shall not be able to meet the wishes of the men, except as to officers and men appointed before 1866.
§ MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)Were the various grades and periods of service represented in the officers' deputation?
MR. J. MORLEYI believe so. Of course, that was not my affair; the officers themselves chose their representatives.