§ MR. VESEY KNOX (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain why Waterford, with a population of 25,000, has a free quota of 73 policemen, while Derry, with a population of 36,000, has a free quota of only 62; and whether he will undertake to increase the free quota in Derry?
§ MR. ATKINSONMy right honourable Friend has already explained to the honourable and learned Gentleman that the assumption that the population is the only factor in determining the distribution of the free force is an erroneous one. The general circumstances of each city or county, as the case may be, are also 1121 taken into consideration in allocating this force. The distribution of the force is revised triennially, pursuant to Statute, and there is no power to consider the question of a further revision until May, 1900.