asked the Minister for External Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an article in an Irish newspaper which stated that, in recent months, the Crown Agents for Colonies, in order to expedite the strengthening of the Palestine Police Force, have adopted the procedure of sending a representative to Dublin to interview persons who have applied for admission to that force, and also added that, in addition to the attractive terms of employment, there was a further inducement of excitement and variety; if he has any information to confirm the report that several hundreds of young men have joined; and further, if he will make known to the public the policy of the Government in connection with this matter, and take appropriate steps to have it enforced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Palestine Police Force.
I have seen an article of the kind mentioned by the Deputy, in which it is alleged that young men here were joining the Palestine Police Force because they could expect to find some excitement and variety in that country and that the Crown Agents for Colonies had adopted the procedure of sending a representative to Dublin to interview applicants for that force. I have no information which would confirm the suggestion that several hundred young men have joined the Palestine Police Force; on the contrary, as indicated in reply to a question by Deputy Dillon on 23rd January, I believe that it is unlikely that Irishmen would, in fact, join that force. The Deputy will appreciate that, in any case, this is not a matter in which the Government can intervene.