HC Deb 30 March 1917 vol 92 cc773-4W
Mr. NUGENT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Dublin Metropolitan Police were embodied as an un- armed force; if the men were not required to undergo instruction in the use of the rifle until last year; if he is aware that, contrary to the conditions under which the men joined the force, efforts have been made to compel them to engage in rifle practice; if, in pursuance of the reconstruction of the force as an armed body, a number of rifles and a quantity of ammunition were brought into the various police stations some time after the Easter week disturbances and were subsequently taken away again; if at the same time the revolvers which the men on special duty were served out with were also taken away; if recently the revolvers were again served out to the men on special duty and rifles and ammunition again stored in the various stations; if he will state the reason for this new departure and under what authority the arming of the force has been carried out; and if he is aware that the men resent being turned into a semi-military body, and that consequently discontent has been engendered?

Mr. DUKE

Since the establishment of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force the arms and accoutrements of the men have been in the discretion of the Commissioners by Statute. I am not prepared to give information as to how the men have been or are armed. I am not aware of the suggested discontent and I know of no good reason for discontent.