§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state what is the present strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary; what number of recruits were enrolled in the years 1904 and 1905; whether recruiting is at present going on; and at what rate per month for 1906.
§ (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) On the 31st March, 1906, the latest date at which Returns have been compiled, the total number of sergeants and constables in the Royal Irish Constabulary was 9,481. The numbers of recruits enrolled in 1904 and 1905 were fifty-two and 197 respectively. Recruiting is at present provisionally proceeding at the rate of about forty each month, which is no more than equivalent to the waste of the force.