§ COLONEL SANDYS (Lancashire, S.W., Bootle)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What is the total numerical strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary in officers, sergeants, and constables; and, what are the number of Roman Catholics employed in the Force, in each of these grades respectively, at the present time?
§ MR. HOOPER (Cork, S.E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What is the total numerical strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary in officers, sergeants, and constables; and, what is the number of Roman Catholics and of Protestants (distinguishing Episcopalians from Presbyterians) in each of these grades respectively, at the present time?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary is as follows:—Officers, 275; head constables, 249; sergeants and acting sergeants, 2,586; constables, 9,750. The distribution as to religious professions, omitting a few individuals who belong to other minor persuasions, is—of officers, 50 Roman Catholics, 216 Episcopalians, six Presbyterians; of head constables, 169 Roman Catholics, 69 Episcopalians, 10 Presbyterians; of sergeants and acting sergeants, 1,801 Roman Catholics, 650 Episcopalians, 115 Presbyterians; and of constables, 7,318 Roman Catholics, 1,963 Episcopalians, 429 Presbyterians.