§ 16. Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is intended to accede to the almost unanimous desire of the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary Force fund to have this fund wound up; and, if not, will he say why?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Bridge-man)I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to a question on this subject on the 19th February last by the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Moles).
Mr. DOYLEI remember that answer, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great impoverishment of the members of this force, owing to their peculiar and unfortunate position, and will he not do something to enable them to get back some of the money that they have paid in to relieve them in their present necessitous circumstances?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will do what I can to look into that question, but the R.I.C. have only recently come under the Home Office.
§ Sir JOHN BUTCHERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very important Vice-Regal Commission, in which all interests were represented, recommended, at the end of 1919, that this Royal Irish Constabulary Fund should be immediately wound up, and will he take that into consideration?