§ MR. CHARLES DEVLIN (Galway)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the county rate demanded of the city of Galway is nearly double what it was in previous years; that the increase is largely due to charges for extra police; and whether, in view of the order and peace that have always prevailed in Galway City, he will take steps to restrict in future the facility which 1115 the authorities have of obtaining extra police.
MR. BRYCEThe Local Government Board have ascertained that the amounts of county rate demanded from the Galway Urban District Council for the past four years were £4,580, £5,910, £4,346, £4,431, respectively. The amount for the coming financial year is £6,695. This latter amount includes no charge for extra police. The increase in the demand for the coming year is stated to be caused by increased county charges, including asylum and union charges. I may, however, add that a demand for £557 in respect of extra police for last year is outstanding against nine districts in the county, of which the Galway Urban District is one. The amount payable by that district will, therefore, be comparatively small. The sanction of the Lord-Lieutenant is necessary before a charge can be imposed upon local authorities in respect of extra police, and the hon. Member may rely that no such charge will be made unless the circumstances of the case fully warrant it.