§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state what is the entire population of the north-west police district of Belfast, and the number of Protestants and Roman Catholics comprising the population; how many head constables, acting sergeants, and constables are stationed in Leopold Street Barracks, Belfast; how many are Roman Catholics and Protestants respectively; and will he take steps to have more Protestant police in this district consistent with the population.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The population of the district referred to is approximately 76,000, of whom 65,000 are Protestants and 11,000 Roman Catholics.
§ The police force at Leopold Street barracks consists of one head constable, five sergeants, one acting sergeant, and twenty six constables, total thirty-three. Of these, the head constable, three sergeants, the acting sergeant, and ten constables, total fifteen, are Roman Catholics; and two sergeants and sixteen constables, total eighteen, are Protestants. The Inspector-General informs me that he cannot undertake to consider the question of religion in connection with the allocation of men to stations.