§ MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord 844 Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of Roman Catholic and Protestant recruits, respectively, called up for service to the Royal Irish Constabulary depôt during the five years since Mr. Singleton was appointed commandant, and in the previous five years, when Mr. Pennington was commandant; what is the number of Roman Catholic and Protestant officials in the commandant's office, and the salaries paid to each; is he aware that the barrack-master and his staff, the adjutant's clerk, the musketry head constable, the assistant schoolmaster, the majority of the drill staff, the librarian, canteen men, mess waiters, buglers, and gymnastic instructors are all Protestants; and can he explain such religious disparities in the depôt staff of a force where the Roman Catholics are three to one amongst the rank and file.
§ COLONEL SAUNDERSON (Armagh, N.)asked if the adjutant, the musketry instructor, the veterinary surgeon, and many other officers were not Roman Catholics.
§ MR. WYNDHAMMy hon. and gallant friend may be correct. In reply to the question on the Paper, I have to say that there were 1,532 Roman Catholic and 613 Protestant recruits called up in the first mentioned period, and 1,848 Roman Catholics and 538 Protestants in the second. There are four Roman Catholic officials in the commandant's office, with salaries amounting in the aggregate to £280 16s.; and three Protestant officials, with salaries amounting to £265 4s. As regards the religious composition of the depôt staff, the proportions are not as stated in the third paragraph. Of the forty-six members on this staff, twenty-five are Roman Catholics.