HC Deb 26 March 1896 vol 39 cc166-7
Mr. VESEY KNOX (Londonderry)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether it is the fact that the number of recruits who have recently joined the Irish Constabulary is greater than for many years past; and, whether, before authorising this increase of recruiting, he ordered any special inquiry as to the possibility of reducing the present establishment without danger to the public peace?

*THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds Central

The recruits who recently joined the constabulary were admitted to fill the normal vacancies occurring in the service, and there has been no increase in recruiting, as supposed. Since January, 1883, there has been a reduction of 2,440 in the authorised strength of the force, and, compared with January, 1895, the existing establishment shows a reduction of 121 men. The Executive Government are perfectly alive to the importance of keeping down the strength of the force consistently with a due regard to public interests.