§ SIR JOHN GRAY (for Mr. MOORE)asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1424 Whether it is true that whilst the South Riding of County Tipperary is charged at the rate of £1,150 a-year for the maintenance of an extra police force of sixty-one men, not a single man of that extra force is in the county; if he would explain to the House what is the cause of such a state of things, and how long it has existed; and, whether, under those circumstances, he will withdraw the charge altogether?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHIt is true, Sir, that the South Riding of the County Tipperary is now subject to an annual charge of about the amount named in the Question for extra police force; but it is by no means accurate to state that not a single man of that extra force is in the Riding. There are a considerable number of vacancies in the total nominal force of the South Riding, but not more than the average number for the whole of Ireland. By 29 & 30 Vict., c. 103, s. 14, these vacancies are distributed proportionately between the free and extra force, and the county is allowed a reduction in the charge for its extra force, corresponding to the number of vacancies held to exist therein. As it would not be equitable that one county should be more fully manned than another, it would become necessary, if the extra force of the South Riding were abolished, to march 46 men, or thereabouts, out of the Riding. It is for these 46 that a charge is being at present made, being the number whose services are thereby secured to the Riding. The amounts charged to the Riding have been calculated as directed by Act of Parliament, and are strictly correct.