§ MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether the Railway Companies in Ireland pay any contribution to the cost of the police in respect of the constables patrolling railway platforms; and (2) whether there is any reason why Irish Railway Companies should not pay for their own police, as do the English Railway Companies?
MR. J. MORLEY(1) The Railway Companies in Ireland do not pay any contribution in respect of the duty referred to, as the police merely attend at railway stations in discharge of their ordinary duty, and not at the instance of the Companies. (2) When, however, an Irish Railway Company requisitions police on special occasions, such as, for instance, a race meeting, the Company is required to pay at the rate of £76 13s. per annum for each man so employed, together with travelling expenses and subsistence allowance.
§ MR. A. O'CONNORasked why it was that the police patrolled the platforms and the premises of the Company, and did not confine themselves to the public road?
MR. J. MORLEYI suppose the police were walking about on the platform in the same way as they would on the road. There are obvious reasons why in certain cases the police should attend the trains, but I must admit that it is rather overdone.
§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)Is there any reason in Ireland any more than in England why policemen should be called upon to do duty in this way at railway stations?
MR. J. MORLEYThere can be no possible reason. I have said that it is overdone, and I will inquire into the matter.
§ MR. STOREY (Sunderland)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the country districts policemen attend trains for the purpose of having a little gossip?
§ [No answer was given.]