§ MR. MONSELLsaid, he wished to put a question to the Secretary to the Treasury with reference to a sum of money which the county of Limerick has illegally been compelled to pay on account of its extra Police Force. He wished to know whether it is intended to take a Vote for the purpose of repaying it to the county?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he did not think the opinion of the Law Officers went to the extent that any particular sum had been illegally levied. The question arose with reference to the charge for the constabulary. Under the Act of 1846 the charge of the ordinary establishment was borne by the Consolidated Fund; but if an extra force was required by the local magistracy, the charge was divided between the Consolidated Fund and the county rate. The magistrates contended that when the entire force was not up to the maximum, the Consolidated Fund ought to bear a larger proportion of the extra charge. The Law Officers of the Crown were of opinion that it ought to be so in future. The Treasury did not think the county had any equitable claim to be refunded anything already paid, and therefore did not intend to propose any Vote for that purpose.