HC Deb 05 November 1918 vol 110 cc1951-3W
Mr. NUGENT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, under the existing financial code of the Royal Irish Constabulary, when a member of that force becomes a widower and has no children under the age of sixteen years, the allowance allowed to married men of £5 4s. per annum is immediately stopped and that he is compelled to contribute towards barrack rent at the rate of 4s. 4d. a month; if he is aware that this is a hardship on widowed members of the force who have children over sixteen years of age for whom they are compelled to keep a home; and if he will take steps to see that this grievance is remedied, either by having an alteration made in the existing code or a provision inserted in the promised Bill dealing with the pay and conditions of service of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police?

Mr. SHORTT

In conformity with Section 2 of the Act 46 and 47 Victoria, cap. 14, the constabulary authorities do not assume liability for the housing of children over sixteen years of age of members of the force, and this applies not only to families who are provided with quarters in barracks but also to those who procure accommodation outside, for which a lodging allowance of £5 4s. per annum is paid from public funds. If a widower has been allotted family quarters in a barrack he is not entitled to remain in occupation of them when all of his children have attained the age of sixteen years nor then to draw lodging allowance. To avoid unequal treatment a widower living out of barracks and drawing lodging allowance must be treated similarly by depriving him of the allowance when all of his children have reached the age stated. For widowers so circumstanced the Section of the Act quoted compels a reduction from pay of 4s. 4d. per month. I cannot recommend that the limit of sixteen years be extended.

Mr. NUGENT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if memorials for an increase in pay have been received from the Royal Irish Constabulary in counties Cork, Waterford, Galway, Westmeath, and Wexford; if he is aware that the delay in bringing forward the proposed Bill dealing with the pay and conditions of service of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police forces is adding to the discontent in the rank and file of these forces; if he is aware that in consequence of the action of the London police authorities in reinstating the dismissed officers of that force any refusal to reinstate or reopen the case of the five dismissed constables of the Dublin Metropolitan Police may create trouble amongst the Irish police forces; if, in order to reassure the members of the Royal Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police forces, he will state the amount of the proposed increase in pay which it is proposed to give them under the Bill which is to be introduced, or otherwise deal as quickly and generously with the claims of the Irish police forces as the authorities have dealt with the claims of the London police; and if he will state if there is any objection to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police joining a police union such as has been sanctioned in the case of the London police, or otherwise a lawful trades union, in order to put forward just claims or assist in remedying any grievances which may arise?

Mr. SHORTT

The memorials referred to have been received. A Bill has already been introduced to amend the law relating to the pay and pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police, and I am not aware that any discontent exists among the members of these forces regarding the matter. The case of the five dismissed constables of the Dublin Metropolitan Police has already been fully dealt with, and I am not prepared to reopen the case. In view of the freedom these forces enjoy of expressing their views and alleged grievances, the formation of a police union is undesirable.