§ MR. REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will state the number of resignations received from members of the Royal Irish Constabulary Force in the years 1879, 1880, and 1881, respectively?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, the number of resignations received from members of the Irish Constabulary in the years 1879, 1880, and 1881, were 113, 155, and 352 respectively. The whole strength of the force was about 12,000 men.
§ MR. REDMONDCan the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for so large an increase in the number of resignations?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThat Question was asked and answered a few days ago.
§ MR. REDMONDI beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. That Question has not been asked.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI understood it had. A large proportion of the resignations were from recruits. There had been a large number of recruits, 737 and it is generally found in the case of recruits that there are a good many resignations.