§ MR. GUINNESS (Bury St. Edmunds)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the approximate cost of extra police drafted into disturbed districts under the Act of King William IV., which was put into operation in August last, and also-the cost of extra forces sent from the reserve of the Royal Irish Constabulary for duty in the disturbed districts; whether any arrests have been made for cattle-driving at Thomastown, Kells, at Walterstown, and at Staffordstown, county Meath, on 8th September last; and whether official notification was given to the police authorities, or whether the parties were unwilling to incur displeasure by reporting them.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The following sums have been claimed from county councils in respect of the half-year ending 30th September, 1907:—For extra police 373 appointed under the Act, William IV., c. 13, s. 13, £890 8s. 3d., and for the services of reserve force £2,760 4s. 3d. The accounts for the half-year which will end on 31st March, 1908. cannot be prepared until the conclusion of the period, but the approximate total charge under both heads for the four months to 31st January is £3,800. The particular cases of cattle-driving referred to in the latter part of the Question cannot be identified at headquarters from the information given, but the police authorities will make inquiries on the subject with the object of obtaining the information asked for.