§ MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON(for Sir THOMAS ESMONDE) (Dublin Co., S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, By what Rule of the Police Force, or Act of Parliament, the Attorney General sanctioned the payment out of the public funds of the amount of the verdict and costs recorded against Constable Curry, "on the grounds that he had acted reasonably as a public officer," in the action of "Smyth v. Madden and Curry," for slander and false arrest, heard before the Recorder of Dublin, at Kingstown, April 15, 1887; and, upon what authority did the Recorder alter the verdict subsequent to the hearing of the case?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Rule as to the payment of the legal expenses of constables against whom proceedings have been taken for acts done by them in the execution of their duty is the same in the Royal Irish Constabulary, the London Metropolitan Police, and in the Dublin Metropolitan Police. The invariable practice is for the constable in the first instance to defend himself; and when the proceedings have terminated, the propriety of indemnifying him is considered and decided by Government. I have no knowledge of the matter referred to in the last paragraph, nor have I any title to make inquiry on the subject.