THE EARL OF LEITRIM, in moving for certain Returns relative to the police in Ireland, said, that when the late Sir Robert Peel was moving the repeal of the Corn 1598 Laws he undertook, by way of compensation to the Irish agricultural interest, that certain charges relating to the police should be placed upon the Consolidated Fund, and that Ireland should be exempt from the operation of the income tax. The quota of police allotted to the agricultural districts had been diminished, and he now understood there was to be a further diminution of 150 men in the police of the agricultural counties, in order that this number might be given to the town of Belfast. This would be a double wrong. The Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Belfast riots recommended that there should be a Police Commissioner appointed in Belfast. It would be much better that Belfast should be made a county of a city, so that the inhabitants might have the control of their own police. The plan proposed would cause much dissatisfaction, would give the Government increased trouble, and would not answer the purpose that was designed. He trusted that the Government would re-consider this matter.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, there would be no objection to the Returns being granted, except in regard to that portion included in a Motion already made by a noble Earl (the Earl of Donoughmore).
§ House adjourned at a quarter past Eight o'clock, till Tomorrow, half past Ten o'clock.