§ 14. Sir P. Hannonasked the Home Secretary whether he will take into consideration the condition of men in Northern Ireland who served in the Royal Irish Constabulary which was an armed force to the time of its dissolution and which passed through a period of open warfare during the disturbances preceding the Irish Settlement of 1922; and whether, in the review of pensions now taking place, the position of these men will have generous treatment?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers were taken into account at the time of the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and, having regard to these special circumstances, Parliament made special provision for these men in the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1922. I know of no reason for revising the provision made by that Act.
§ Sir P. HannonIs not this one of the most disgraceful episodes in the story of recent Governments—the treatment of these ex-Royal Irish Constabulary; and may I ask my right hon. Friend whether, when he was in Northern Ireland the other day, cases were not brought to his notice of the desperate condition of many of these men? Would it be beyond the resources of his Department to put an end to the present position?
§ Mr. ShinwellIf it is a disgraceful episode, as is stated, is it not attributable, not to my right hon. Friend opposite and the present Government, but to the Conservative Government which my hon. Friend himself supported?