69. Mr. FRENCHasked if there is a proposal to wind up the Irish Constabulary Fund on or before the passage of the Government of Ireland Bill and to allow the entire fund to be absorbed by the Treasury; is he aware that dissatisfaction prevails amongst policemen and ex-policemen at the prospect of having their widows and orphans deprived of savings that were intended for them; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere is no such proposal as that referred to in the first paragraph of the question. As I have already 39 stated, the fund is perfectly safe and there need be no anxiety about it on the part of subscribers. If the fund is not wound up at the date of the transfer of the Royal Irish Constabulary to the Irish Government it will remain, as at present, under the control of the National Debt Commissioners, subject to the trusts for which it was created.