§ MR. HAZLETON (Galway, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- 698 Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state how the charge of £43 6s. 0d. per annum for each extra head constable and £34 9s. 3d. per annum for each extra sergeant or constable made against Irish county councils is arrived at; and what are the items that make up the charge.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe charges in question represent a moiety of the cost of the extra force arrived at in the manner prescribed by the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1874. The rate of charge for a head constable is fixed by the Act, while that for sergeants and constables is based upon an average of the cost of the entire constabulary force in Ireland, regard being had to the rate of pay sanctioned by the Act, and to the cost of clothing, medical attendance, barrack accommodation, local travelling expenses, and subsistence allowance.