MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, when recruiting was discontinued some months ago for the Royal Irish Constabulary, the military authorities in Ireland endeavoured to induce the candidates then offering for the Constabulary to enter the Army, and form a regiment of Royal Irish Guards; and whether he can say how many candidates there were at the time for the Constabulary, and how many of them consented to enter the Army?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIt is true that since the suspension of recruiting for the Royal Irish Constabulary employment in the Army was offered by the military authorities to the candidates for the Constabulary, of whom there were 995 on the register when recruiting was discontinued in December, 1896. The question whether any inducements were held out to these candidates by the military authorities, and whether any of them consented to enter the Army, is one that should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for War.
§ MR. BRODRICKI must have notice.