§ Sir W. SEAGERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any men lately disbanded from the Royal Irish Constabulary are now under arrest and are being tried by Irish Republican Army courts martial for carrying out the orders of the British Government; and whether any action is being taken by the Government to find employment for the disbanded members of the Royal Irish Constabulary?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODFour members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were disbanded during the past month are reported to have been kidnapped, and I am at present in communication with the Provisional Government with a view to ascertaining their present whereabouts and procuring their release. I have no information as to any of these men having been tried by Republican Courts. With regard to the latter part of the question, a bureau has been set up at Chester for finding suitable accommodation in Great Britain for disbanded men and their families, and men who desire to avail themselves of these facilities are given advice as to the places where they are likely to find the best opportunity for the work most suitable to their special aptitudes and inclinations. The terms of disbandment contain special provisions for enabling men who so desire to emigrate to other parts of the British Empire, and an emigration branch has been formed at the Irish Office for advising and assisting men who decide to take advantage of these provisions. About 300 disbanded members of the force have enlisted in the Palestine Gendarmerie and all men are being invited to offer themselves as candidates for the new Ulster Police Force.
§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to, and can he give any information relating to, the recent seizure of two ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who had embarked upon the Liverpool steamer and were about to proceed to England, but who were forcibly removed on shore and shot on the quays; and whether he has taken any steps to prevent such acts being repeated?
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§ Sir H. GREENWOODSo far as I have been able to ascertain, there is no truth in this story. I have already made very full inquiries, but if the hon. and learned Member has any definite evidence in his possession which leads him to believe that such an occurrence has in fact taken place, I shall be glad if he will make it available as the basis of a further investigation.