HC Deb 03 August 1894 vol 28 cc26-7
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in the Constabulary Office in Dublin Castle, the Inspector General, three Assistant Inspectors General, the County Inspector in the Crime Department, 17 of the 18 Civil Service clerks, the resident Head Constable, seven sergeants, who are in receipt of 2s. 6d. per diem extra pay, and the constable who sleeps in the office at night, are Protestants; will he state what is the reason why so many of these officials belong to a creed which is that of a small minority of the population; are the majority of the sergeants and constable messengers enjoying extra pay for service in the Castle also Protestants; and can any explanation be given?

MR. J. MORLEY

There is only one Assistant Inspector General at headquarters in the Castle, and he, I am informed, is a Protestant. The Deputy Inspector General, who is not referred to in the question, is a Roman Catholic. Of the clerical staff six are Roman Catholics and 12 Protestants, and, as regards the members of the Force employed in the office in receipt of extra pay, seven are Catholics and eight Protestants. Of the entire establishment at the Constabulary Office, including messengers and men of the Force, 15 are Roman Catholics and 26 Protestants. The members of the Force employed in the office are, as I have stated, of nearly equal proportions, a fact which the Inspector General assures me was unknown to him until the information required by the question was placed before him. The religious element is not one which enters into these appointments.

MR. DARLING (Deptford)

May I ask how these details as to the private religious opinions of the officers were obtained? Is there not an objection on the part of many of them to state to what religion they belong?

MR. T. M. HEALY

Everybody in Ireland has to state his religion in the Census Return.

MR. DARLING

I did not put this question to the hon. Member, but to the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary.

MR. J. MORLEY

The information was obtained in the way in which we obtain most of our information—namely, from those who are most likely to give us good and accurate information.

MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)

Was the information obtained by personal inquiries addressed to the individuals concerned?

MR. J. MORLEY

I should say that probably that was not necessary, but I cannot give the hon. Member an answer on the point.