§ CAPTAIN DONELANOn behalf of the hon. Member for North Leitrim, I bear to ask the Chief Secretary for 748 Ireland (1) whether the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks at Tullaghan, county Leitrim, is about to be broken up; (2) can he state on what grounds and, if the change is being made for purposes of economy; can he say how much will be saved to the local rates, if any, and how much to the Imperial Exchequer; and (3) to what purpose will the savings effected by the proposed change be devoted?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURA proposal is now before the Inspector General for the abolition of this police station. It is considered by the local responsible authorities that a separate station at Tullaghan is no longer essential, and that the necessary protection to persons and property can be afforded from adjoining stations. No saving to local rates will result, inasmuch as no rate in aid of the cost of police is locally levied, but a saving of about £200 a year will ultimately accrue to the Imperial Exchequer. The Question in the last paragraph is part of a much larger one, and I must refer the hon. Member to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ MR. RICHARD N. DANE (Fermanagh, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Irish Government has been drawn to the statements contained in the pastorals of some of the Irish Roman Catholic Bishops, and in a recent charge of the Coroner for the County of Donegal to the prevalent indications of efforts now being made in Ireland to reestablish secret unlawful societies; and, if so, whether, in view of such indications, the Government will reconsider their intention to reduce the Royal Irish Constabulary Force?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURAttention has been directed to passages in recent pastorals of several of the Roman Catholic Bishops in Ireland in denunciation of secret societies. As regards the reduction of the Royal Irish Constabulary force, I must point out that, in view of the continued improvement in the condition of Ireland generally, it has been found practicable to arrange for a considerable reduction in the strength of the force. This decision was come to with due regard to the public interests, and after consultation with the responsible authorities. I see no occasion to alter it.
§ MR. DANEHas the attention of the Government been called to the charge of the Coroner respecting the condition of things in County Donegal?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo; I am afraid I have not looked into that part of the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down again.