HC Deb 17 March 1887 vol 312 cc534-5
MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the regular Constabulary Force for the North Riding of the County of Tipperary stands at 309 men; whether out of that number there are at present only 266 men in active service in the district; whether the sum of £1,000 is annually paid out of the Riding for what is termed extra police; whether, including the so-called extra police, the regular force is at present short to the number of 19; and, if so, whether he will fill up the regular Parliamentary quota, and relieve the ratepayers from this tax for extra police who are not in the district; whether, at the recent Spring Assizes at Nenagh, where the presentment for this extra police tax was opposed, the Pro-siding Judge, Baron Dowse, replying to the Traverser, made use of these words— It is imperative on me to pass this presentment, otherwise I would be most happy to concede to the just application; whether he will inform the House, or give a Return, as to the number of per- sons who are at present under police protection, and the number of men employed in discharge of protection duty in North Tipperary; and, for what purpose, with the comparative absence of crime in the county, as stated by Baron Dowse, the ratepayers are burdened with this tax for extra police?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

Part of this Question I have already answered. It is renewed with some additions, and without Notice, and it cannot be fully answered without local inquiry on some points. I can at once say, however, that the entire free force is not 309 men, as stated by the hon. Member, but 266.

DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will obtain exactly the number of extra police employed in police protection?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have just told the other hon. Member that I will cause inquiries to be made.