§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will explain why of the thirty-five members of the Royal Irish Constabulary stationed at Newry, only nine are Protestants, the remainder being Roman Catholics; whether he is aware that the only Protestant acting sergeant who was stationed in Newry has been transferred; and that an understanding was some time ago arrived at that where a Roman Catholic was in charge of one station a Protestant would be put in charge of the other; and, if so, will he direct that this shall be carried into effect.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThere are thirty-seven members of the force at Newry, of whom eleven are Protestants. The acting sergeant referred to was transferred on temporary duty. The Inspector-General arranged some time ago that on the occurrence of a vacancy in one of the two head constableships it would be filled by the appointment of a Protestant sergeant. No vacancy has yet arisen.