§ 51. Mr. HEALYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can, in view of the peaceful state of Ireland, say if it is the intention of the Government to provide any sum this year for the upkeep of the civilian special police in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI fear that I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on this matter on the 3rd June.
§ Mr. HEALYWill the right bon. Gentleman undertake to give sufficient time for discussing the matter before the money is voted, and does he not think the Northern Government ought to pay for their own military supporters?
§ Viscount CURZONIs it not a fact that the hon. Member opposite owes his life to these same civilian police?
§ Mr. FERGUSONIs it not the case that the present peaceful state of matters is the result of the internment of the murder gang of whom the hon. Member opposite was a principal leader?
§ Mr. COMPTONIs it within the Rules of the House for one hon. Member to refer to another as "a leader of a murder gang."
§ Mr. SPEAKERCertainly not. If the hon. Member referred to a Member of the House as the leader of a murder gang, I must call upon him to withdraw.
§ Mr. FERGUSONMight I ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member will please answer my question. Did he use that expression? If so, he must withdraw it at once.
§ Mr. FERGUSONVery well, I withdraw it.