HC Deb 10 March 1893 vol 9 cc1590-2
MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what was the actual strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary establishment in the County Clare on the 1st March, 1st April, and 22nd August, 1892, respectively; and whether the Grand Jury of the County Clare, in their resolution of 3rd March, 1892, recommended the reduction of the county establishment as stated by the Chief Secretary, or only the reduction of the extra force and the increase of the "Free" force?

MR. J. MORLEY

In answering this question, I should like to explain I did not intend to convey the idea the other day that the Grand Jury desired a decrease of the force. What I meant to say was that they desired a decrease of the extra force, and they wanted an increase of the free force which was not statutorily possible. The total authorised establishment for the County Clare, including 24 men of the reserve, was on the 1st of March, 1892, 512 men. A reduction, however, in this number had teen already under consideration, and, pending the decision to be come to, steps were not taken to fill vacancies. Thus, on March 1st, 1892, the actual number in the county was 475. On the 1st of April, 1892, the actual number was 460. On the 22nd of August, 1892, the actual number was 462. The recent decision of the Government to send 50 extra men to the county has the effect of bringing the total authorised number for the county to three above the number at which it stood on March 1st, 1892, before it was reduced by the late Government.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Then when the right hon. Gentleman stated that the right hon. Member for Leeds had reduced the force in County Clare at the request of the Grand Jury, he did not mean that the force ordinarily employed had been decreased. Is he aware that the Grand Jury twice recommended an increase of the force?

MR. J. MORLEY

I am not aware that the Grand Jury recommended a gross increase. I do know that they asked for a. transfer of extra force, and that was what I believe I conveyed to the House. 'There was an actual reduction of the county force by 15 under the late Government.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reduction was not owing to any action on the part of the Executive, but was an effect of the triennial re-arrangement of the Constabulary establishment?

MR. J. MORLEY

I confess I experience some difficulty in following these details so closely. I have explained more than once what I meant to convey. I think I should have notice of any further questions.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Am I correct in saying that the answer of the right hon. Gentleman materially modifies his statement that the force in County Clare was reduced by the right hon. Gentleman the late Chief Secretary?

MR. J. MORLEY

It is perfectly true that the right hon. Gentleman did reduce the actual force in the county. The rest is a matter of argument.

MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that the Grand Jury is an absolutely non - representative body. With regard to the fact that they advised an increase of the Constabulary force, will he remember that the Boards of Guardians and other Local Bodies directly representing the ratepayers have passed resolutions condemning the action of the Grand Jury, and taken an exactly opposite view?