§ MR. CHARLES DEVLIN (Galway)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the clothing of the Royal Irish Constabulary is not of Irish manufacture, either with respect to material or workmanship; whether, in view of the development of manufactures in Ireland, some consideration will be shown hem in respect to the cloth required for such uniforms; and why are they not invited to tender.
MR. BRYCEIt is the fact that cloth of English or Scotch manufacture was used in the clothing which is now being worn by the Royal Irish Constabulary, but the materials have for several years past been made up by Irish tailoring firms. Irish manufacturers have invariably been invited to tender for the supply of cloth required by the Constabulary, and an experiment is now being made with the object of ascertaining whether Irish manufacturers can supply cloth in all respects fitted for the clothing of the Force.