§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that since the transfer of certain members of the Royal Irish Constabulary from Belfast it has transpired that many were wrongly punished; and whether, having regard to all the facts, he will cause all unfavourable records to be withdrawn from those officers who deny the charges until a sworn inquiry is held and they are given an opportunity to prove their innocence, or otherwise.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) A year has now passed since the occurrence in Belfast in connection with which certain, policemen were transferred to other districts, and the matter cannot now be reopened. The Inspector-General has no reason whatever to believe that any of the men whose transfers were finally decided on have been wrongly punished.