§ CAPTAIN DONELANOn behalf of the hon. Member for North Cork, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the sum of £2,249 was charged to the County of Cork for extra constabulary for the half-year ended the 31st of March, 1894, and that a strong protest was made against the imposition of this large sum at the last Presentment Sessions; and if he can explain why this large amount is now levied upon the ratepayers of the county when it is in a peaceful and almost crimeless condition?
MR. J. MORLEYThe facts are as stated in the first paragraph. As regards the second paragraph, although it has not been found practicable to make any reduction in the strength of the police establishment of the county at large, I am glad to inform the hon. Gentleman that by an Order in Council dated the 21st of May the free quota of the county was increased by 51 men, resulting in a corresponding reduction in the number of extra men chargeable to the county after that date. This arrangement will cause a reduction, amounting to about £1,500 per annum, in the future charge to the county for extra police.