HC Deb 07 May 1901 vol 93 cc965-6
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the fact that the Committee of Inquiry into the pay and allowances of the Royal Irish Constabulary consists of a majority of Government officials, whether he will consider the advisability of having the Committee composed of independent Members of this House before the Committee takes any evidence.

MR. WYNDHAM

The Committee has been appointed and has begun its labours. I cannot now alter its composition, which is, I submit, well adapted to the exigencies of such an inquiry.

*MR. TULLY

Seeing that there are 12,000 policemen in Ireland and 7,000 police pensions, will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to reduce the latter number?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

By whom was the Committee appointed?

MR. WYNDHAM

By myself. I thought the matter was one requiring investigation.

MR. FIELD

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider a Committee consisting of only one Member of Parliament and two officials a satisfactory one?

MR. WYNDHAM

The composition of the Committee is precisely similar to that of a Committee appointed on a previous occasion.

MR. O'DOHERTY

Will the evidence and Report be published?

*MR. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.