§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with regard to the fact that the British troops at present quartered in Ireland number 37,000 men, at the cost of £3,500,000 annually, or 16s. per head of the population, will he grant a Return showing how much of this sum is actually spent in Ireland, and the different centres at which it is disbursed; and, whether it is proposed to add to or diminish this force.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham S.The return at page 480 of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Royal Commission on the Financial Relations between Great Britain and Ireland shows the numbers of the Regular forces in Ireland as 27,642. Of the cost of this force, together with that of the Militia, the sum of £2,128,000 is expended in Ireland. It is impossible to further locate this expenditure; but generally, it may be assumed that the portion representing pay is disbursed at the places where troops are stationed and that contractors are paid at their places of business. No change in the force is contemplated at present.