§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENasked whether there is a vacancy now in the depot command of the Royal Irish Constabulary, owing to the promotion of Mr. Ball; whether Catholic officers are excluded on religious grounds from promotion to these positions; if not, can he explain why no Catholic officer was ever promoted to that position since the establishment of the force; and whether he will see that in filling Mr. Ball's place fair play is shown to Catholic candidates?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere is at present a vacancy for an assistant inspector-general in the Royal Irish Constabulary. The officer to be promoted to the vacancy will probably act as commandant at the depot. Catholic officers are not excluded from these positions, professional qualifications only being taken into account in filling them. Any other method of selection would be contrary to the public interests.
§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that in a force which is overwhelmingly Catholic no Catholic ever got this post before?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI can give no explanation, except that, as I understand it, certainly so far as I have experience of it, the question of religion does not enter into consideration.