§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the expense of arming the Irish constabulary with new long range magazine rifles and bayonets; and whether, in view of the feeling in Ireland against this outlay, he will consult Irish feeling by not proceeding with this order.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have already stated that arrangements are being made to re-arm the constabulary with Lee-Enfield cavalry carbines and bayonets at an estimated cost of £4,766. Some misconception appears to exist with respect to the necessity for this change. I may explain, therefore, that it was mainly owing to considerations of the expense that would be involved by retaining the existing pattern rifle and ammunition that the Government decided to re-arm the force. The present weapon is now obsolete and the difficulties in the way of procuring suitable ammunition to enable the force to carry out its annual musketry practice were found to be almost insuperable. To retain the present rifle it would be necessary to make special arrangements at very heavy cost—if, indeed, such arrangements were practicable—for replenishing deficiencies in stocks of the arm and ammunition. The change decided upon is consequently in the interests of the general taxpayer.
§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)Will the right hon. Gentleman, instead of spending this extra money on arming the police, reserve it for the purpose of Irish drainage?
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is an economy.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of disarming the police?