§ MR. REDDYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the retrenchment taking place in the Army and Navy, any stops will be taken to reduce the police in Ireland; whether he is aware that county and district inspectors spend the principal part of their time in sport and amusement while the duties they are supposed to discharge are done by a head constable or sergeant; will ho say if the police stations at Bracklin, Crinkle, Killoughy, Kilmalogue, and Clonfanlough, King's County, can be abolished, as these stations are in close proximity to others and in a district free from crime; and whether he is aware that Bracklin is within three miles of Tullamore, where there is a staff of twenty police.
MR. BRYCEThe question of reduction in the Royal Irish Constabulary, in accordance with the scheme prepared in 1903 by the late Government, is under consideration. In that connection, the cases of the stations named in the Question will receive attention. Seven police stations in King's County were abolished last year. The present force at Tullamore station consists of thirteen policemen. I have no reason to think that county or district inspectors, or any members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, permit sport or amusement to interfere with the due discharge of their official duties.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDHas the scheme for the reduction of the Royal Irish Constabulary initiated by the late Government been dropped?