§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say what was the nature of the district inspector's report of the Royal Irish Constabulary depot against Head Constable James Reid, which caused his transfer to county Galway; did the head constable get any opportunity of refuting the statements in the report; and is he aware that the head constable is now stationed where he is compelled to send his children to a convent school.
333 (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) On January 1st, 1900, the head constable was appointed assistant police instructor. On 29th July, 1902, he was informed that, as the superior post of police instructor was in future to be held for a definite term of three years, a similar rule would apply to the post of assistant. In accordance with that ruling the head constable reverted to the ordinary duties of his rank on January 1st, 1903, and was allocated to Loughrea, county Galway. No report was made against him. The head constable, having passed the necessary examination, is about to be promoted to the rank of district inspector, and will then be allocated to another district. No complaint has been received from him to the effect mentioned in the concluding part of the Question.