HC Deb 29 June 1903 vol 124 cc807-8
MR. LEAMY (Kildare, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if the Government have obtained a guarantee from the promoters of the Gordon-Bennett race for the expenses of extra police over the sum of £1,000 which the Treasury is willing to contribute; if any communication has passed between the police authorities and the Kildare County Council on the subject; if he is aware that the Kildare County Council consented to hand over the county roads for the race on the expressed understanding that the county should not be called on to pay for the extra police; and, if so, if it is the intention of the Government to levy any part of the expense on the county of Kildare.

MR. WYNDHAM

No such guarantee has been obtained. The County Council inquired as to the incidence of the expenses of the extra police, and was informed by the Inspector-General that the matter was receiving attention. The opinion of the Treasury has since been announced, and is at present before the Irish Government. The whole question is one requiring most careful consideration in relation to the interpretation and application of Acts of Parliament, as well as to the other circumstances connected with the race.

MR. LEAMY

Can we be satisfied that the Kildare County Council will not be called upon by the Irish Government to pay any portion of the cost of the extra police?