§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (for Mr. SEXTON)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to the following passage in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on the Irish Constabulary:—
Complaints were made with evident reserve by many of the men that the authority exercised by the special resident magistrates was calculated to harass and disorganise the Force…. The officials we refer to are unconnected with the Force, and have no direct responsibility for its discipline. They do not, and, owing to the division of authority, cannot, set it in motion with perfect economy of the men's strength and of money;what is the annual cost of the special resident magistrates, and their attendant functionaries; and, whether the Government still think it necessary or expedient to maintain this extraordinary class of officials; and, if so, for what probable period?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, it is not the intention of the Government to continuo the system of special resident magistrates longer than is absolutely necessary. Those officers have rendered good, indeed invaluable, service during the disturbed state of the country; but it is hoped by the Government that, by strengthening the local police administration, it will be possible to dispense with their services shortly. The proposed changes will require the sanction of Parliament, and a Bill for the purpose has been prepared and will shortly be introduced, and the Government hope to carry it this Session. It would not be possible to dispense with the special resident magistrates, unless the services they perform are supplied by special legislation. The extra cost occasioned by the special resident magistrates system, up to the present, amounts to about £9,700 a-year.