§ 24. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that many old pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary, some of whom retired as long as 10 years ago, are being driven out of their homes in Southern Ireland and are forced to take refuge in England or elsewhere; and whether, in view of the fact that this persecution is solely due to the inability of the Provisional Government to give protection to life and property in Southern Ireland, the Government will, as in the case of Royal Irish Constabulary men recently disbanded, give these men free railway warrants for themselves and 529 their families to any place within the United Kingdom and give them reasonable disturbance allowances?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret that I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. and learned Member on the 30th May last, namely, that His Majesty's Government cannot see their way to regard the cases of pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary as different from those of other civilians compelled in present circumstances to leave Ireland.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn view of the exceptional circumstances of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the fact that these men are being terrorised and driven out of the country for having done their duty, will the right hon. Gentleman not make some compensation to them for the horrible outrages which are being perpetrated on them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is a question which I have already answered.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan these old pensioners apply to the committee presided over by the hon. Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare) when they come over here?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, certainly.