HC Deb 13 March 1882 vol 267 cc736-7
MR. REDMOND

asked 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. REDMOND

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for so large an increase in the number of resignations?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

That Question was asked and answered a few days ago.

MR. REDMOND

I beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. That Question has not been asked.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I understood it had. A large proportion of the resignations were from recruits. There had been a large number of recruits, and it is generally found in the case of recruits that there are a good many resignations.