Captain CRAIGasked what sums of money have been taken out of the Royal Irish Constabulary canteen fund, Phoenix Park depot, for the last ten years, and to what purposes they are allocated; who constitute the committee in charge of the Royal Irish Constabulary canteen; and by whom is the appointment or election of the committee made?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs regards the first paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 27th March. The canteen is managed by a committee consisting of three officers serving at the depot, who are selected by the commandant quarterly. A sub-committee is also formed by the commandant monthly in such a way that each company and troop will be represented by one man. The sub-committee consists of one head constable, one sergeant, one acting sergeant, and two constables, and at least one of its members must be a married man.
Captain CRAIGasked whether money has been provided out of the Royal Irish Constabulary canteen fund at the depoôt for the erection of a cricket pavilion in the Phœnix Park, and also for the construction of a gymnasium at the depoôt; if so, how much in each case; and whether he will consider the desirability of providing the cost of the pavilion and the gymnasium by the State instead of taking it out of a private fund belonging to the police?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSix hundred and twenty-five pounds were paid in 1885 for the erection of a cricket pavilion, and £698 was paid in 1898 for the erection and equipment of a gymnasium. Both sums were provided from the Canteen Fund. Since 1905 the upkeep of the gymnasium has been paid out of public funds, but it was decided in that year that the question of recovering from the State the original outlay on the gymnasium could not be considered, and I see no reason to depart from that decision.
§ Mr. JAMES O'KELLYasked the number of policemen who were in the parish of 1949 Kilmore, county Roscommon, on Sunday the 23rd April; how many of these were specially drafted in for that day; from what stations they were imported; what was the expense incurred, and by whom it would be paid; further, whether there was any call for an extra force of police from any of the people of the parish, except that made by the agent of a property consisting of untenanted land in the district which he considered might be discussed at a public meeting held that day in Kilmore and addressed by two Members of Parliament; and whether this is sufficient reason for the introduction of a large extra force of police?
§ Mr. BIRRELLOn the 23rd April, twenty-three police were on duty in Kilmore, of whom eighteen were drafted in from Strokestown, Elphin, Hillstreet, and Gillstown. The expense incurred will be defrayed from the Constabulary Vote. The police authorities, who are responsible for the preservation of the peace, considered that the force mentioned was necessary on the occasion in question.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the declaration of Judge Bodkin at the opening of the Ennis quarter sessions on 20th April, that county Clare deserved congratulations that there were so few crimes in it, and that compared with English counties of the same size and population the contrast would be strikingly in favour of county Clare; and whether he will now take steps to reduce the police force in county Clare to the proportions corresponding to the most favourably reputed English counties?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have seen a newspaper report of Judge Bodkin's address referred to. The responsible police authorities are not prepared at present to recommend a reduction in the police force in county Clare.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDIs it not the fact that at the last Assizes the judge commented upon the improved condition of the county, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider if it is possible to make some reduction in the extremely large force of police which is a great burden upon the ratepayers and which is really unnecessary?
§ Mr. LONSDALEIt will be in the recollection of the right hon. Gentleman that the judge also stated at the same time that the state of affairs in the county of Clare is most unsatisfactory.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask whether it is not the fact that the right hon. Gentleman could not possibly recollect that because the judge never said it?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am very glad to know that the state of Clare is improved, and we all look forward to the period when it will improve even more than it has done, but the police have within their knowledge quite recently occurrences in that admirable county which make it impossible for me at present to recommend any reduction of the police force.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, as this is a serious matter affecting the credit of a great county, whether it is not the fact that judged by statistics by any test, there is far less crime of any kind in the county of Clare than in any British town?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have no doubt that there is a great deal of substance in the observation of the hon. Member. At the same time, there have been within the last few days instances of firing and wounding in Clare, which make it impossible for me to give it that clean bill of health which it wishes me to declare.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is more crime in the city of Bristol than in the whole county of Clare?