§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say what is the number of head constables, sergeants, and constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary who are eligible for retirement on pension.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) It is presumed that the Question is intended to refer to men of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have served for twenty-five years or upwards and are therefore 1629 eligible to retire on pension upon their own application. The Inspector-General informs me that in order to give the required information it would be necessary to call for local returns from the entire country. It does not seem desirable to impose so much trouble upon the force, but if the hon. Member has any substantial reason for requiring the information I will ask the Inspector-General to procure it.