§ 10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary if an officer named Winter is still employed in a position of responsibility in the Irish Administration; and whether this officer's pre-War record was examined before his appointment?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI presume the hon. and gallant Member is referring to Colonel Winter, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., who at present holds the appointment of Deputy-Chief of Police in Ireland. This distinguished and experienced officer was specially lent to the Irish Government by the War Office for this service when the Irish police administration was being re-organised in the summer of last year. As regards the last part of the question, this officer, whose record is one of exceptional distinction, was first appointed in November, 1894, to the Royal Artillery, in which he has since served continuously. He qualified for the Staff College in 1905, and was promoted to the rank of major in 1911 and to that of lieut.-colonel in 1916. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in the Army in April, 1920. As regards his service during the late War, I have already stated, in reply to a previous question, that he was six times mentioned in despatches and was awarded the C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. and Bar. I should like to add that last week a cold-blooded but, happily, unsuccessful attempt was made to murder Colonel Winter in the streets of Dublin. He was severely wounded in the hand. I am sure that the House will be glad to learn that he is getting better.