§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that last November a constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary procured another man to personate him in an examination of constables for promotion; (2) will he explain why it was that whereas the personator was prosecuted at the police court, and fined for the offence, the constable was not immediately dismissed but merely transferred to another station, his dismissal only taking place later; (3) and whether, with a view to checking deception on the part of members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and to secure their identification when they decline to give their names or give false names, he will sanction a regulation for the wearing of numbers on the uniforms of the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe sergeant, not a constable, who was personated on the occasion in question, was at once sent back to his station, and called upon to plead to charges against discipline involved in his conduct. He admitted the charges, and no avoidable delay took place in recommending his dismissal from the Force. He was not transferred from his station as alleged in the question. The last paragraph has no bearing upon the other portion of the question, inasmuch as the sergeant had lent his uniform to the personator.
§ MR. MACNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer the last paragraph, as it is on the paper?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIf the hon. Member cares to ask a general question I will answer it. I have already replied, last Session, that, in my opinion, there is no sufficient ground for making such a charge.
§ MR. MACNEILLSince last Session has it been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's mind—I know it has—that on the 13th of May 1889, his brother, then Chief Secretary, admitted that the officers did not give their names when asked.
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid the question was not in order.
§ MR. MACNEILLThen I will ask the question to-morrow.