§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any examination for the promotion of head constables from that rank to district inspectorship in the Royal Irish Constabulary has recently been held; if so, how many candidates were there, and what was the result; whether he is aware that in County Longford two cadets have been, after a very brief training, recently taken from the depôt and placed in charge of important stations; will he state what qualification either possessed for the position, and who nominated them; and will he see that arrangements are made to place in command men who know better the people amongst whom they operate.
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURNo examination of head constables for promotion to the rank of district inspector has recently been held, the full proportion of promotions, that is to say one-half, having been given to men of that rank. There is only one young officer in the County Longford at present. The qualifications 1357 of this gentleman, who was nominated by the Government, were tested in the usual manner by examination in literary and professional subjects. The last paragraph seems to be of a controversial character. There is no intention of departing from the existing system in regard to the appointments in question.