§ 25. Mr. GINNELLasked the right hon. Gentleman whether contributors to the Irish Constabulary Force Fund, whose property that fund is and who condemn its present administration, will be required to continue contributing to it; if they refuse to do so, whether all their payments will be treated as forfeited; and, if so, will he give a reference to the authority under which this is done and under which contributors who survive their wives and children are given nothing out of the fund, no matter how much they have contributed to it or what their need?
§ Mr. BIRRELLUnder the Statutes governing the Constabulary Force Fund the pay of all members of the force who joined before 18th June, 1883, is subject to a deduction for the purposes of the fund, and there is therefore no power to exempt any such member from this deduction. The contributions of pensioners are, however, voluntary, and may be discontinued at any time. Neither the Statutes nor the rules framed under them contemplate the return of any deductions or contributions to the subscribers themselves. If the fund did not benefit by the contributions of those who, on retirement or for some other reason, cease their subscriptions it would not be possible to maintain the present liberal scale of gratuities to the widows and orphans of deceased subscribers. The Statutes relating to the fund are 6 William IV., cap 13; 10 and 11 Vic, cap. 100; 29 and 30 Vic, cap. 103; 37 and 38 Vic, cap. 80; and 46 and 47 Vic, cap. 14.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether on the discontinuance of the payment, all the money paid is forfeited?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir. The money goes to the fund.
§ Mr. MOOREWill the Royal Irish Constabulary Fund be handed over to the new Government, or will it be retained by this Government along with the force for six years?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have already answered that question over and over again. This fund will not be handed over, but will be retained. I have answered that sixty times.