§ MR. O'DOHERTYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will issue instructions to the sergeants of the Royal Irish Constabulary in charge of stations to furnish to the secretaries of the various county and district councils in their districts copies of the reports they make on any malicious injury occurring in their districts to their superior officers; and if instructions will also be given to them to attend the county courts at which these claims are investigated, and give every assistance in their power to the county and district councils in investigating all such cases.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe reports made by the police in such cases are in the nature of confidential documents, and the Government cannot therefore accede to the request in the first paragraph. It is the duty of the police to attend at the hearing of such claims for compensation in county courts for the purpose of giving evidence, as in other private litigations whenever their attendance is required and their expenses are guaranteed by the parties concerned.