§ 64. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the total amount paid out of local rates in Ireland for extra police in the last completed year; and, if any extra police are employed now, will he say where and for what purpose?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe total amount paid out of local rates in Ireland for extra police in the year 1913–14, the last for which payments have been completed, was £20,317 18s. 9d., of which a sum of nearly £14,000 represents the charge for the permanent extra forces in Belfast and Derry City. The balance consists of payments for detachments and for the temporary extra forces in the proclaimed counties of Clare and Galway, in which counties the retention of the latter was still necessary for the preservation of the peace.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sole business of these extra police is political espionage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir.