§ DR. ROBERT AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with respect to the Circular issued to the Royal Irish Constabulary on 17th January, 1895, announcing that half the vacancies to the rank of district inspector would in future be open to head constables, has such an order been put into force since the issue of the circular; can he state how many district inspectors, head constables, and sergeants are there at present in the force who have completed their full term of service entitling them to a pension; and, how many head constables are there at present in the force who draw extra pay for work done outside their police duty?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo competitive examination of head constables under the Order has yet been held, as no vacancy for a district inspector has existed since the issue of the Order, nor does any now exist. I understand there are many district inspectors and men of all ranks who have completed the term of service which, under the Acts governing their cases, gives them the option of retiring; but as these men are in the full and effective discharge of their duties there is no reason why they should leave the force nor is there any power to compel them to do so. The Inspector 922 General is not aware that any head constables draw extra pay for work done outside their police work, though there are, of course, indoor or clerical police duties as well as outdoor.