§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (THE EARL of CRAWFORD)My Lords, the House will remember passing a Bill dealing with the Police in England and Wales. This Bill extends the principles of that measure to the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police. I need say little about the Bill, because it is virtually identical with that which your Lordships passed last summer, except in so far as the constitution of the Irish Police Forces makes differences in details necessary. In this country there are something like 280 separate Police Forces; in Ireland there are only two. That, in a way, makes the Irish problem more easily encompassed, and this Bill acts accordingly, sets up police bodies to represent these two great groups of police and constabulary, and goes on, having constituted the new representative bodies, to prevent Police being members of trade unions.
The latter part of the Bill corresponds with the increased emoluments which were provided for the Police of England and Wales last summer. Roughly speaking it establishes a certain parity in the increases which are allowed. The outlay is considerable, but I feel that it will not be grudged by the country as a whole for two reasons. In the first place, the Irish Constabulary will now, for the first time, receive an official and a recognised privilege of discussing all matters relating to their welfare and to their efficiency with duly constituted authorities and with representatives elected by themselves. Secondly, it increases the allowances and emoluments of these forces, which from all accounts was overdue. I commend the Bill to your Lordships with great confidence that you will look upon it as an act of justice to a most remarkable body of men whose loyalty and whose fortitude, often in circumstances of the very greatest difficulty, cannot be too highly commended.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Crawford).
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.