MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can give the dates 918 upon which recruiting for the Royal Irish Constabulary was discontinued, and upon which recruiting was resumed, the number of officers and men added to the Force from the date upon which recruiting was resumed up to the present, and how much longer it is intended to continue recruiting?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURRecruiting for the Royal Irish Constabulary was discontinued on the 1st December, 1896, and resumed on the 1st inst. Fifty recruits have been enlisted since the latter date, and, as I have already stated, recruiting will be continued from time to time to replace men who have died, retired, etc., and to maintain the Force at its present fixed strength.