§ MR. BAGWELLsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, What are the intentions of Government as to the placing of the Constabulary Barracks in Ireland in a state of defence?
LORD NAASreplied, that the instructions which had been forwarded some weeks since to the Constabulary Officers had been withdrawn, and other instructions had just been issued to the County Inspectors directing them to confer with the proprietors of Police Barracks in each district, inviting their co-operation in taking steps to render those Barracks defensible which were capable of being made so. The Constabulary Barracks in most cases were rented by Government from year to year. The Barracks differed very much in size, form, and condition in different districts, and many were very unsuitable in every way. In cases, where it was impossible to put them into a defensible condition, the Inspectors were directed to ascertain whether better premises could not be obtained. The Government had been encouraged, in the course they had adopted, by having received assurances from some proprietors that they would co- 604 operate in placing the Barracks in a more habitable and defensible condition.