Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he is aware that sergeants in charge of stations in the Royal Irish Constabulary are permitted to grant leave to men not required for duty for a period not exceeding eight hours per month; and whether he will advise the authorities to extend the privilege to eight hours per week?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware of the regulation referred to in the first part of the question. I understand that the Royal Irish Constabulary are more favourably treated with respect to leave of absence than most police forces, and I see no proper grounds for extending the privilege as suggested.
Captain CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sergeants in charge in the larger towns have now the privilege indicated in the latter portion of the question, and when the constables are not required in country districts would it be possible to extend to them at least some of the privileges which they are allowed in the larger towns?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have had before me quite lately the privileges with regard to outdoor hours which the Constabulary enjoy and I do not think that there is any occasion for a relaxation of the rules.
§ Mr. MOOREWould the right hon. Gentleman give this deserving class even one-sixteenth of the leave of absence which is taken by the Irish Registrar-General?