§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many Royal Irish Constabulary district inspectors' districts there are in Ireland with only three, four, five, and six stations in each, and how many stations in Galway district, in county Galway, and Thomastown district, county Kilkenny; and, as the Royal Irish Constabulary is overmanned with district inspectors, will steps be taken to stop recruiting in that branch of the service, and, as vacancies occur, to include all districts with six stations and under with adjoining ones so as to reduce the cost of command?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere are two constabulary districts in Ireland, with four stations in each, nineteen with five stations in each, and forty-seven with six stations in each. There is no district with less than four stations. There are fourteen stations in Galway district and thirteen in Thomastown district. The present number of district inspectors is necessary for the proper supervision of the police districts under their command, and I am advised by the responsible police authorities that 1515W the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question could not be carried out without detriment to the interests of the public.