§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary the names of the counties still subject to proclamations issued in 1907, declaring them to be in a state of disturbance, necessitating the employment of extra police; the names of the counties from which similar proclamations issued in the same year have been withdrawn; whether, as a result of the recent redistribution of the force, the free quota was augmented by the transfer to that establishment of a number of men from the extra force; and, if so, what was the number of men so transferred; what was the increased charges placed upon the Constabulary Vote; if he will state also whether the withdrawal of proclamations from certain counties was indicative of an improvement in the condition of affairs therein; and, if so, whether such improvement has been reflected, and to what extent, in the strength of the general establishment of the force?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe counties of Clare, Galway, Longford, and Roscommon are still subject to the proclamations issued in 1907. In the case of King's County and Leitrim the proclamations have been withdrawn. Under the recent redistribution of the Royal Irish Constabulary 361 men were transferred from the extra force to the free force, the increased charge to the Constabulary Vote being £12,440. The withdrawal of the proclamations in two counties was indicative of an improvement, but not to such an extent as to admit of the requirements of those counties being dealt with on the basis of the allocation of 1906 or to justify a reduction in the strength of the general establishment of the force.