§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if, in view of the coming changes in the relations between the Imperial Government and the Royal Irish Constabulary, he will take steps to have the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund wound up?
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I rise to Order. I wish to ask you, Mr. Speaker, if this question does not come within the Rule you have laid down as to not permitting questions relative to the details of the Home Rule Bill?
§ MR. SPEAKERNo; I do not think it comes within that Rule, which applies only to the details of the Bill.
MR. J. MORLEYThe Constabulary Force Fund consists of two branches, the reward branch and the benefit branch. Into the reward branch are paid portions of fines awarded by Magistrates, or which are otherwise payable, to the Constabulary, and from this branch rewards to members of the Force are paid. The disposal of such fines will, no doubt, in 1078 the circumstances mentioned be a matter for the Irish Government. Respecting, however, the benefit branch of the fund, it has been decided that it shall not be wound up, but shall continue to exist until all its obligations to the families of present members of the fund (whether serving on pay or on pension) shall be fulfilled; and to that end the funds of the benefit branch (including the sum of £150,000 voted by Parliament in 1890–91) and its actuarial concerns have been placed under the management of the National Debt Commissioners.