§ 74. Mr. DEVLINasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is in a position to make any statement with reference to the proposed establishment of a special police force in Belfast; and if the House will be given an opportunity to discuss the matter?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)The particulars of this force have already been published, and the House has had two opportunities during the last few days of discussing it.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat were the two opportunities?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe best answer I can give is that I have heard speeches on two days from the hon. Gentleman opposite on this subject.
§ Mr. DEVLINYes, but I did not get any answer to my speeches.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTYou did not give time for it.
§ Mr. DEVLINOh, no; it was the fault of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Duncairn (Sir E. Carson).
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt was not anybody's fault; it was due to the prolonged eloquence of the hon. Gentleman himself.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs it not the fact, with regard to the special constables already appointed in North East Ulster, three were arrested for looting in Lisburn, and after they were arrested 300 of the remainder of the force resigned; whether one was arrested for looting in Belfast, and does the right hon. Gentleman propose to hand over the custody of law and order to men responsible for conduct of this character? May I also ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think the hon. Member must put some of these questions down.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman answer those which I have asked?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not see why my hon. Friend should expect me to answer questions which have already been answered more than once by the Irish Secretary. As to the arrest of constables, I think that is the best proof that we disapprove of looting.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these special constables are drawn from the class who organised a mob to massacre the Minister for War when he was last in Belfast?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can assure my hon. Friend that the selection is not based on that ground.
§ Mr. DEVLINI believe it is by his colleagues in the Cabinet.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThey are selected solely because of their reliability in dealing with a specially difficult situation.