§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Tuam Rural Distriet Council have decided to postpone carrying out necessary public works on the ground that next year they would have thrown upon the district £13,000 or £14,000 for extra police and cattle-driving claims; and whether he will state when he proposes to take effectual measures to suppress practices which impose such heavy charges upon the ratepayers.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Tuam Rural District Council is reported to have postponed the consideration of certain proposals for works because of the charge for extra police. There are at present 350 extra police in County Galway, and the charge upon the county at large is at the rate of about £12,000 per annum. I understand that about one-sixth of the 490 total falls upon the Tuam Rural District. The Government are taking all possible measures within the ordinary law for the suppression of disorder. The extra police force will be removed as soon as the condition of the county warrants the adoption of that course.