§ MR. M'COANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Whether the district inspectors of the Royal Irish. Constabulary receive £10 a year for one annual inspection of the standard weights and measures in their districts, while the sergeants of the force receive nothing for a quarterly examination of the weights and measures used by every trader within their area of duty; and, whether their claim for some remuneration for such considerable extra work has yet received the "consideration" promised to it by his predecessor; and, if so, with what result?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Government have seen their way to adopt most of the recommendations of the Constabulary Committee of 1883, with the result that considerable improvement has taken place in the position of the men of the Force; but as regards the particular claim referred to in this Question, I have come to the conclusion that the allowance of reasonable expenses, which the existing law permits, and which, I should imagine, is capable of being so regulated as that no actual loss should be incurred by the men, is sufficient to meet the merits of the case, and that it is not desirable to propose legislation which would involve an extra charge on the county cess of Ireland of something like £3,000 a-year. I should explain that the sums paid by some Grand Juries to District Inspectors under this Act are not for a personal remuneration, but for rent of an office. The payment is not compulsory, and the sums vary in different counties.