HC Deb 10 August 1914 vol 65 cc2290-1

The power of distribution given to the Lord Lieutenant by Section 1 of the Constabulary (Ireland) Redistribution Act, 1885, instead of being exerciseable triennially only, may, after the commencement of this Act, be exercised as and when the Lord Lieutenant thinks proper.

Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I am afraid we cannot assent to this Clause going into the Bill at the present moment. It deals with a matter apart from the rest of the Bill, which concerns the pay and salaries of the police. Clause 5, as I understand it, gives power to the Lord Lieutenant to exercise his power of revising what is known as the free quota of police "as and when he thinks proper" instead of triennially, as provided by the existing Act. That is a very considerable power to entrust to the Executive, and without further inquiry I am not prepared to agree to it.

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

Of course, my hands are tied in the matter. A Committee went into the question and distinctly recommended—

Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Dissented?

Mr. BIRRELL

Yes; it distinctly recommended that the triennial revision should be abolished, and that it should be left to the Lord Lieutenant to make the alteration when he so desired. However, it is extraneous to the main object of the Bill, which is to deal with the pay and to get rid of a good deal of dissatisfaction in the force, and though I think, on further reflection, the hon. Member will regret having opposed the Clause, I submit to his objection.

Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and negatived.

Bill reported with Amendments; as amended, considered; read the third time, and passed.