§ MR. JOHN ROCHE (Galway, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of police stationed at present in the parish of Woodford, which comprises the electoral divisions of Woodford, Loughatorick, Coose, Drummin, and Abbyville, as compared with the number stationed there in 1885; whether and the district is as peaceful now as it was in 1885?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe of police stationed in the area referred to in the year 1885 was 16; in 1890 the number was as high as 67, and at present the number is 39. I am happy to say the district, is now in a peaceable condition, and I have no reason to believe its condition was otherwise in 1885. But I would point out to the hon. Member that the inference which the 635 question suggests is an erroneous one, inasmuch as the necessity for a relatively large police force in a particular district is measured by other considerations than its freedom from overt crime. I may say that the extra police force, which, some few years ago, in the East Riding of Galway, numbered nearly 100 men, has now been entirely abolished.