§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what was the number of police employed at the end of September in affording protection to the occupiers of grazing farms throughout Ireland and in each of the counties of Galway, Roscommon, Leitrim, Longford and Clare; and what was the number of police employed in addition in securing the stock on such farms from molestation.
717 (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The numbers of police employed on 30th September upon the sole duty of affording constant protection to the occupiers of grazing farms were as follows: Galway, sixteen; Roscommon, nil; Leitrim, two; Longford, nil; Clare, nil; Rest of Ireland, thirty-one; Total, forty-nine. The term "occupiers" is interpreted as meaning persons residing on the farms, whether as owners, tenants, or caretakers. A large number of police are employed in giving protection by patrols to the occupiers of grazing farms and in securing the cattle from molestation, but the Inspector-General informs mo that it is impossible to state the number of men so employed, both because the number and personnel of the men vary from day to day and because the men are employed upon other duties besides that of affording protection. In general terms it may be stated that in the disturbed districts the police generally are employed in giving all possible protection whenever necessity arises.