§ MR. GEORGE CLARK (Belfast, N.)On behalf of the hon. Member for East Down, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what extra cost of the police availed of under the proclamation in the terms of the Act of William IV. made by the Irish Government in August last has been in the counties of Meath, Longford, Westmeath, Leitrim, Roscommon, and Galway; by whom such costs will be borne; and in what proportions.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.In respect of the half year ended 30th September last, claims have been made against six county councils for the services of additional police appointed in pursuance of proclamations under the Act 6, William IV. The amounts claimed are: Clare, £161 2s. 6d.; Galway, £287 11s. 4d.; King's County, £50 9s. 10d.; Leitrim, £53 9s. 1d.; Longford, £59 7s. 8d.; and Roscommon, £278 7s. 10d. These sums represent half the cost of the police and are chargeable in each case upon the county at large. The other half of the cost is 1099 borne on the Constabulary Vote. The counties of Meath and Westmeath have not been proclaimed. In addition to these charges, claims amounting in all to £3,655 4s. 8d. have been made against the counties named, including Meath and Westmeath, for the services of extra police between 1st April and 31st August, 1907, the date on which men were appointed under the proclamation. The amounts to be claimed for the current half year cannot be ascertained until 1st April.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman state the cost for extra police in Belfast at the same time?
§ MR. BIRRELLI will inquire.
§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)Does the same system obtain in England in regard to extra police?
§ MR. BIRRELLI think not.