§ MR. LALOR (Queen's Co., Leix)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that an extra police force is employed in the Queen's County; and, whether, in view of the fact that the Judges of Assizes have frequently congratulated the county on its freedom from exceptional crime, and that, at the county at large Sessions, held at Maryborough on November 17, the magistrates and cesspayers unanimously rejected the application for a presentment for extra police, he will direct the removal of the extra police force from Queen's County?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)It is the case that there is an extra police force of 13 men employed in the Queen's County. This force is not there on account of any prevalence of crime; but is necessary over and above the free quota of police assigned to the county for the ordinary discharge of police duties. In 1882, the 491 extra force in this county numbered 40 men. It has since been reduced, from time to time, to its existing number. No further reduction is at present practicable.