§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, since 22nd August, 1892, he has approved of any reduction in the extra police force, Royal Irish Constabulary; and, if so, in what county; and if he can state the actual strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary of all ranks in Ireland on 22nd August, 1892, and on the 1st March, 1893?
MR. J. MORLEYA reduction in the extra force of County Kerry was advised by the present Government in October last, when 10 men were transferred from the extra force to fill vacancies in the free quota of the county. A proposal has been recently made and approved for reducing the extra force in County Sligo by three men, and in the South Riding of Tipperary by 15 men. The actual strength of the Constabulary of all ranks on August 22, 1892, was 12,299, and on the 1st inst. 12,302. The figures 19,299 and 12,302 include officers, head constables, sergeants, acting, sergeants, and constables. The total of 11,860 given in reply to the hon. Member for Dover was the authorised strength of sergeants, acting sergeants, and constables only.