HC Deb 28 April 1902 vol 107 cc46-7
MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will undertake that, before carrying out at the expense of Irish taxpayers any of the recommendations made by the Committee which investigated the alleged grievances of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the Irish representatives will be afforded an opportunity of discussing the recommendations.

MR. WYNDHAM

Some of the recommendations could only be given effect to by legislation, which would necessarily give an opportunity for discussion. To carry out the remaining recommendations not requiring legislation, an additional sum of money would have to be placed on the Estimates. The Estimates for the current year contain no such provision. The Question of the hon. Member is, therefore premature.

MR. MACVEAGH

But is it not possible that some of the changes for which legislation is not required might be made after the Estimates had been passed? In that case we should have no opportunity of discussing them.

MR. WYNDHAM

I have no immediate intention of asking for any provision to be made.

MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state how many of the county inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary and how many district inspectors are Roman Catholics and Protestants respectively.

MR. WYNDHAM

Four of the county inspectors are Roman Catholics and thirty-three Protestants. Sixty district inspectors are Roman Catholics and 154 Protestants.