§ MR. PATRICK WHITETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland having regard to the Resolution passed by this House that the granting to the Irish people of legislative and executive control of all purely Irish affairs is vital to the interests of Ireland, and to the declaration of the Prime 1452 Minister that the question of Home Rule for Ireland would be an issue at the next general election, he will consider the advisability of not proceeding with the appointment of the proposed Dublin Metropolitan Police Commission but leave all questions affecting that force to be dealt with by an Irish legislative assembly.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) When undertaking to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the cost of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, I was under the impression that there was a general wish for the appointment of such a Commission. As I have already informed the hon. Member, there has been considerable discussion upon the terms of reference, which have not yet been settled. I am not at present aware of any reason why the proposal to appoint a Commission should be abandoned.