MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, will he explain why recruiting for the Royal Irish Constabulary, which was discontinued some time ago, has been recently resumed; and if he will state what special circumstances called for an increase in the force?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURRecruiting for the Royal Irish Constabulary was discontinued until the strength of the force was wasted down by operation of retirements, etc., to a fixed number, and this number having been reached, recruiting has been resumed in order to maintain the force at that strength. The force has not been increased.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the wasting down represented by the figures given just now in answer to the hon. Member for North Kildare?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURYes, Sir; that is so.