§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he will lay upon the Table a Return showing the expenditure incurred on account of the administration of the Protection of Person and Property Act, on account of additional constabulary, and on account of the movements of constabulary, extra pay and allowances to constabulary, and on account of the movements of troops, extra pay and allowances to soldiers in connection with the enforcement of the Law, and with the protection of life and property in Ireland?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHIt would be very difficult to give an accurate Return of the expenditure referred to in the Question, and impossible to do so until the close of the financial year. I shall have to present at a very early date a Supplementary Estimate for the Irish Constabulary; and it will be the duty of the Government to give, during the discussion upon that Vote, any information in their power.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLWill the noble Lord lay on the Table, at the close of the financial year, a Return of these particulars?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHsaid, that he did not believe such a Re- 494 turn could be accurately prepared, certainly not until after the close of the financial year. The best information in the possession of the Government would be given when the Supplementary Vote was before the House.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLWill the noble Lord show by a Return the extra money that has been spent in Ireland upon these Services last year over former years?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHThe noble Lord will find all the information he requires in the Estimates.
MR. GORSTWill the noble Lord state whether he proposes to give to the House, on the discussion of the Supplementary Estimate for the Irish Constabulary, a statement including the information as to the Naval and Military expenditure?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHI will obtain what information I can from the War Office, so as to be able to give it to the hon. and learned Member during the discussion upon the Vote.