MR. C. J. ENGLEDEW (Kildare, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what reduction has been made in the number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary during the last 12 months, and what saving will be effected in the expenditure of that Department; whether the Government intend to devote the amount thus saved to some special work for the benefit of the Irish people; and whether he would set aside a small portion of that amount towards the cost of rebuilding the houses of the Clongery evicted tenants?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe reduction in numbers during the past year has been four officers, 12 head constables, and 467 men, and the total saving effected amounts to £22,006 per annum. The answer to the second and third paragraphs is in the negative.