§ MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, has it come to his knowledge that on Tuesday last, the 21st instant, a police inspector from Monaghan, with a large force of 1721 constabulary, visited the townland of Carrickroe and effected the seizure of a cow, the property of Widow Flood, on foot of a decree obtained against the poor woman's deceased husband, at the suit of a loan bank in Aughnacloy; have the constabulary of late been extensively engaged in the execution of decrees for this same loan society: and, will the Irish Executive see to it that the police shall not again be detailed for such objectionable duty?
§ *MR. GERALD BALFOURIn the particular case referred to, a police force, consisting of ten constables under the command of their officer, was detailed, upon the requisition of the Sheriff, to protect his bailiffs in the execution of a writ issued from the Court of Exchequer, at the suit of a local Loan Fund Society against the person named. It has been explained again and again in answer to Questions in this House that the Executive are bound by law to provide such protection, when required. I may also mention that it has been in effect decided that it is the duty of the police to execute all warrants issued by Magistrates at Petty Sessions for the recovery of sums due to Loan Fund Societies.