§ MR. WYNDHAM (Dover)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of Royal Irish Constabulary now serving in Ireland in addition to the free quota triennially distributed, distinguishing between the reserve force, the revenue force, Constabulary in excess of the normal establishment (a) in counties at the requisition of Magistrates, (b) in counties proclaimed as disturbed by the Lord Lieutenant, (c) in cities under special legislation; and whether, in view of the admitted inability of the Government to augment during this year the free quota in Clare, he will consider the expediency of providing additional forces from the reserve or by other methods, rather than by recruiting, which must entail the creation of fresh vested interests?
MR. J. MORLEYThe present authorised strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary is as follows:—Free quota, 10,006; reserve force, 400; revenue force, 400; extra force—(a) In counties, at the requisition of Magistrates, 181; (b) under proclamation, 525; (c) in cities, under special Acts, 348; total force, 11,860. Arrangements have been made for sending at once 50 men of the reserve force to Clare.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)May I ask whether the Government will re-consider their intention in regard to reinforcing the police in Clare, having in view the fact that that county is in a better state now than it was last year when the late Government withdrew the police force?
MR. J. MORLEYIn some respects, no doubt, the county is in a better state, but in some respects it is not. I do not think we are likely to re-consider a decision arrived at only 48 hours ago.
§ MR. W. REDMONDI beg to give notice that at the proper time on the Estimates I will call attention to this matter.