§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of the Royal Irish Constabulary at the outbreak of the War, and how many county and district inspectors there then were; how many of each rank of officers were of military age, and how many of those have joined the Army and how many have expressed their willingness to serve; and how many of the rank and file also expressed their willingness to serve in the Army if allowed, in addition to those whose services have been accepted?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAt the outbreak of the War the strength of the rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary was 10,235. There were 37 county inspectors and 196 district inspectors, none of the former and 71 of the latter being of military age. Thirty-two district inspectors have joined the Army and 7 county inspectors and 17 district inspectors have expressed their willingness to serve. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon.1064W Member to the reply which I gave to his previous question on this subject on the 29th June last, and also to the reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for East Limerick on the 18th November last, since which date the position has remained unchanged.