§ Colonel CHALONERasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that dissatisfaction and discontent exist in the ranks of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police as to their present rates of pay and allowances, one result of which, in the case of the Royal Irish Constabulary, has been that it has been found impossible to obtain first-class recruits to fill vacancies which have become very numerous owing to the increase in the number of resignations in late years; if it has been brought to his notice that the majority of the officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary are dissatisfied with the personnel of the commission of inquiry now appointed to inquire into their grievances; if he is aware that Sir David Harrel and Mr. Starkie, R.M., to whom, with a Treasury official, this inquiry has been entrusted, have already served on two previous commissions, held under very different circumstances, and if the result of the last of these commissions was that no effect was given to the Report until six years after it had been presented, and if he is aware that the alterations then made as regards pay, allowances, pensions, and periods of service have not been accepted by the officers and men as a fair and reasonable settlement of their claims; whether he has been informed that, in the opinion of the officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the appointment of the present commission is only intended to shelve the question, as occurred on the previous 968W occasion; whether, in view of the determination to pass the Government of Ireland Bill into law this Session and the importance of having a contented and reliable Imperial force of police in Ireland to protect life and property in case of riot and disturbance in certain districts, he will at once take steps to grant by Treasury Order a reasonable improvement in the allowances now paid to the officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and if he will undertake to expedite legislation as to increase of pay if this be recommended by the Commission; and if it has been reported to him that in many cities, towns, and districts in Ireland, the Royal Irish Constabulary have expressed their want of confidence in the present Commission by refusing to send delegates to give evidence before if?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police desire an increase in their present rates of pay, as shown by memorials which they have presented to the Government. No serious difficulty has yet been experienced in maintaining the Royal Irish Constabulary Force at its present level. I have no reason to believe that a majority of the officers and men of that force are dissatisfied with the personnel of the Commission appointed to inquire into their grievances. The Chairman of the Commission, Sir David Harrel, served on one Royal Irish Constabulary Commission only in 1882. He never served on any Commission connected with the Dublin Metropolitan Police. Mr. Starkie only served on one Commission connected with the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police in 1901. The opinion that the present Commission has been appointed for the purpose of shelving the question is quite erroneous, and the course recommended by the hon. and gallant Member would be illegal and impossible. I understand that in four cities and two counties the men have declared their intention to send no witnesses.