§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary at present in Ireland; what proportion of the total number comes under the definitition of free quota; on what basis is that free quota allocated; and what is the present allocation to the several districts in Ireland of the free quota and constabulary, if any, other than those coming under the head of free quota, respectively?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary (sergeants, acting sergeants, and constables) on 28th February, 1913, the latest date for which information is available, was 10,175. Of this number 8,911 belong to the free quota of 9,303 assigned by Order in Council of 26th May, 1909. It has not been found necessary to maintain the free force at its maximum in several counties owing to their peaceful condition. The free quota is allocated by the Lord Lieutenant in Council under the powers conferred by1850W the Constabulary (Ireland) Redistribution Act, 1885. The Inspector-General, in submitting schemes for the distribution of the force to his Excellency, has regard to the area, population, and requirements of each district. The following table shows the present distribution of the force:—
1851W
Counties, etc. Free force as per Order in Council of 26th May, 1909. Extra force serving on 28th February, 1913. Under Local Acts. Under 6 & 7 Wm. IV., c 13, sec. 13 (Proclamation). Antrim … 260 — — Armagh … 200 — — Carlow … 89 — — Cavan … 182 — — Clare … 429 — 56 Cork, E.R. … 488 — — Cork, W.R. … 268 — — Donegal … 375 — — Down … 273 — — Dublin … 177 — — Fermanagh … 140 — — Galway, E.R. … 375 — 117 Galway, W.R. … 366 — 78 Kerry … 389 — — Kildare … 153 — — Kilkenny … 243 — — King's … 178 — — Leitrim … 174 — — Limerick … 327 — — Londonderry … 132 — — Longford … 120 — — Louth … 136 — — Mayo … 436 — — Meath … 191 — — Monaghan … 133 — — Queen's … 141 — — Roscommon … 279 — 15 Sligo … 230 — — Tipperary, N.R … 213 — — Tipperary, S.R … 256 — — Tyrone … 239 — — Waterford … 187 — — Westmeath … 230 — — Wexford … 207 — — Wicklow … 164 — — Cities. Belfast … 500 733 — Cork … 175 — — Limerick … 85 — — Londonderry … 90 14 — Waterford … 73 — — 9,303 747 266 Vacancies … 392 — — Total … 8,911 747 266 9,924 Reserve … 251 Grand Total … 10,175
§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary why the annual statement of the amount of the constabulary force employed in each county and county of a city in Ireland, required by 6 Will. 4, c. 13, s. 57, is not submitted to Parliament?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSection 57 of the Statute quoted has become obsolete owing to later legislation.