CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the cost of car hire for conveying extra police to and fro in connection with cattle-driving and other agrarian outrages is charged to the county concerned; and, if so, what has been the charge under this head for the various disturbed counties during January, February, March, and April of this year respectively.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe cost of conveying extra police is borne by the Constabulary Vote. Under the statutes governing the matter, local authorities are charged for extra police according to the average cost of the entire force, and independently of the distance from which the particular extra force may come.
AN HON. MEMBERasked if there was any real advantage in drafting a large force of police from one part of the country to another in connection with cattle drives, and if it would not be better when damage was done for the graziers to claim compensation, to have the amount assessed by arbitration, and the sum awarded to be paid by the county concerned?
§ MR. BIRRELLI should like to have notice of that Question; it is a very difficult problem.