§ MR. C. J. ENGLEDOWI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, having in view the continued peaceful condition of Ireland, he proposes to take any steps to reduce the number of officers and men in the Royal Irish Constabulary, and thus materially reduce the expenditure in that Department?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary of all ranks is at present considerably less than it has been during many years past. Since 1883 there has been a reduction of 2,448 men in the strength of the force, and, compared with January, 1895, the existing strength of the force shows a reduction of 123 men. The local responsible authorities are fully alive to the importance of keeping down the strength of the force consistently with a due regard to public interests, but at present it is not practicable to effect a further decrease in this respect.
§ MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if it is intended to carry into effect the terms of the circular issued by the Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the 17th February, 1895, whereby one-half of the vacancies occurring in the rank of district inspector should in future be filled by promotions from the ranks; if, in the month of June, 1895, 18 head constables passed the Civil Service examination; and if any date has been fixed when it is proposed to hold the final competitive examination prescribed by the circular, keeping in view the fact that there has not been any promotion from the ranks since the 25th June, 1894?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe intention is to give effect to the terms of the circular referred to when promotions are being made to fill vacancies in the ranks of District Inspectors. It is the fact that 18 head constables did pass a qualifying examination in educational subjects in June last. But this fact does not, in itself, give the, men in question any claim to be called forward for competition in professional subjects, as only such head constables as are on other grounds, as well as educational attainments, considered to be fully qualified to be promoted to the important rank of District Inspector will be nominated for the competition. No date has been fixed for a competitive examination as prescribed by the circular, inasmuch as no vacancies exist in the rank of District Inspectors.