§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he had received any information to the effect that 200 men of the Royal Irish Constabulary had held a meeting at Belfast, and threatened to go on strike.
§ MR. BIRRELLI have just received from Belfast a telegram relating to one of the matters referred to in the hon. Member's Question, and I have sought for further information on the subject. I desire not to make anything like a full statement of the facts until I have had further information. I may say that the circumstances seem to be greatly exaggerated. Some cases of insubordination occurred amongst a small body of men— not anything like 200— but they yielded at once to the very wise treatment they received, and I am now assured that all danger may be at once dismissed from our minds. There is some dissatisfaction upon the subject of pay, but full consideration will be given to any legitimate complaint.
§ MR. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the district inspectors in Belfast stated that if the police went on strike the Government have 10,000 recruits ready to take their places, and will he, in view of the fact that even according to his own statement information is not of a very clear character, telegraph to Belfast for full information?
§ MR. BIRRELLI am expecting to receive full information every minute.
§ MR. MOORE (Armagh, N.)Does the Chief Secretary consider these (Questions in the public interest?
§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)Write him a letter.