§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether five reserve policemen, including a sergeant, stationed at the depot, in addition to their ordinary emoluments, draw allowances almost equivalent to those paid to seventeen sergeants in charge of stations; will he state what duties these policemen perform in return for such reward; whether the allowances referred to are stopped out of the recruits' pay; and, having regard to the salary paid to these officials, will he explain the cause of the allowances referred to.
§ MR. BIRRELLOne sergeant receives an allowance of £3 a month, and five constables receive £1 each a month, for managing the catering arrangements for over 300 recruits at the constabulary depot. A sergeant in charge of a country station receives extra remuneration of 8s. 8d. a month. The catering allowances at the depot are paid out of the general mess expenses, to which recruits have to contribute. The duties are heavy and the hours long, and the Inspector-General considers the remuneration to be well earned.