§ MR. M. J. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of free force police in Kerry, also the number of extra police, and what is their cost; and whether, owing to the peaceable state of the county, he will take steps to reduce the number of extra police?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe free force of Kerry numbers 461 men, and there is, in addition, an extra force of 101 men assigned to the county. The charge to the county in respect of these 101 men is, approximately, £3,400 per annum. Government has signified its approval of a proposal to reduce the extra force by 11 men, thus reducing the total extra force to 90 men, and the total charge to the county to about £3,000 per annum. These men are 1320 practically all engaged in affording special protection, and as the necessity for affording such protection disappears, the extra force will be still further reduced or altogether withdrawn.