§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Constable Shankey, of Leopold Street Barrack, Belfast, made and signed a statement regarding the charges then pending against Head Constable Farrell, and subsequently at the police inquiry, held in connection with these charges, contradicted his former statement; and if, under these circumstancs, he will explain why Constable Shankey was allowed to remain in Belfast; and whether Constable Bradley acted similarly in connection with this case, and, if not, why was he transferred.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Inspector-General informs me that the sworn evidence given by Constable Shankey was in complete accord with his prior written statement of the main point at issue, though there was some variation in regard to details. The Inspector-General raw no reason for ordering the constable's removal from Belfast. Constable Bradley did not act similarly; the reasons for this constable's removal were stated in my reply to a Question put by the hon. Member for South Down on 1st May,† to which I beg to refer the hon. Member.