§ MR. DEASYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, How many promotions from the rank of Head Constable of Police to that of District Inspector have been made in Ireland since 1st November 1882; whether it is a rule in the force that one-fourth of the vacancies in the rank of District Inspector should be given to deserving and qualified Head Constables; and, whether this rule has been strictly observed, and, if not, on what grounds?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThere is no such rule as the hon. Member suggests; but the Inspector General 49 has usually, with the sanction of the Government, given a fourth of the places to deserving Head. Constables. No such promotions have taken place since the 1st of November, 1882; but, on the other hand, 10 out of 17 vacancies which had occurred in the previous month were given to Head Constables, and this unusually large proportion leaves them now only two short of the ordinary proportion. It is not at present practicable to fill up these two; but it will be done when opportunity offers.