8 and 10. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary (1) whether the Committee appointed to inquire into the pay and pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary have presented to the Government their Report; if so, when do the Government purpose introducing legislation on the subject; whether the Committee have recommended that the annual pay of the head constable major, at the Royal Irish Constabulary depot, be £130, and that the maximum grade of pay of the other head constables be £120 annually; whether the Government would consider the advisability of making three grades of pay in the rank of head constable, so that men of long service in that rank might attain £130 annual pay; and whether this suggested assimilation of the maximum grade of pay of head constables to the pay of head constable major would be in conformity with the precedent of the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1883; and (2) whether he is now prepared to make any statement to the House as to a proposed increase of pay to the rank and file of members of the Royal Irish Constabulary; whether he is aware that considerable discontent exists owing to the long number of years since the last scale of pay for the 525 rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary was established and owing to the increased cost of living, which places the men at a disadvantage compared with those who work in a civil capacity; whether he is aware that many men are resigning on account of the small prospects; and, if it his intention to deal with the matter, whether he will make a statement on the subject at an early date?
§ 15. Mr. NEWMANasked whether effect has yet been given to the findings of the Departmental Committee that recently reported with regard to pay, pension, promotion, and other grievances of the constables and non-commissioned officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have now carefully considered the Report of the Committee referred to, and am taking steps with a view of having the recommendations generally of the Committee carried into effect with the least possible delay.
§ 14. Mr. NEWMANasked whether any alteration has recently been made in the regulations as to the standard of physique for enrolment of recruits in the ranks of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether the regulation that only time-expired men of the Irish Guards were eligible for admission to the force has been altered and time-expired men from any Line regiment are now eligible for admission?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo change has been made in either of the regulations referred to. Men from any Line regiment have been for years past eligible for the Royal Irish Constabulary when transferred to the Army Reserve.
§ Mr. NEWMANDo I understand that the strength has been altered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir.
§ 16. Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary whether he can give the total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary as on the 30th ultimo as compared with the total strength of the force on 30th June, 1913; and whether the Inspector-General has reported that there is any difficulty in obtaining a supply of suitable recruits?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the 31st May last—the latest date for which returns are available—was 10,462, as compared with 10,603 on the 30th June, 1913. I am aware that at present there is a difficulty in obtaining a sufficient supply of suitable recruits.
§ 17. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he can allay the apprehensions of the Irish Constabulary by an assurance that in any legislation based upon paragraph 57 of the Report of the Irish Police Committee, 1914, no gratuity shall be paid out of any branch of the Constabulary Force Fund to any non-subscriber to that fund; whether he can now accede to the memorial from the subscribers praying for the distribution of that fund among the subscribers; having regard to his own recognition of the hardship imposed on such men as Constable Ronaghan by the restriction on marriage, enforced by a permanent monetary mulct, whether in any legislation on paragraph 75 of the Report he will see that relief is retrospective for the benefit of his widow or children, as the case may be; and when he hopes to be able to formulate his proposals on the whole subject?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe matters referred to by the hon. Member will have my careful consideration, but it is impossible for me to make any statement in anticipation of the legislation which I hope shortly to introduce on the subject. As regards the proposed winding up of the Constabulary Force Fund, I have nothing to add to my previous replies to questions on that subject.
§ Mr. GINNELLWould that be included in the Bill?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir.