§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to a resolution unanimously adopted by the magistrates 830 and cesspayers assembled at the County Cork Presentment Sessions, held upon the 30th ultimo, protesting against the payment of expenses for extra constabulary; and, whether, in view of the peaceable condition of the county Cork, he will consider the desirability of withdrawing this extra police force, and thus relieve the ratepayers from the heavy burthen which this tax entails upon them?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI have seen the resolution referred to. The strength of the extra force of police at present assigned to the county Cork is only 45 men as compared with 65 men at the corresponding period of 1894, and I hope very shortly to be able to carry out a substantial reduction in the number now chargeable to the county owing to its generally peaceable condition; though, unfortunately, there are still a large number of police engaged in affording special personal protection in the county.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police tax still imposed on a peaceful county amounts to close upon £2,000 a year?
§ MR GERALD BALFOURI have not the figures with me. I will endeavour to reduce it.