§ MR. LEA (Londonderry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a prosecution for illegally selling ether, hoard at the Maghera Petty Sessions on 31st May, when the defendant pleaded ignorance of the law as his excuse; whether he will have a copy of the Order scheduling ether as a poison issued as a handbill, and left at the shops throughout the districts where ether was sold as a beverage, as indicated in the evidence given before the Select Committee on British and Foreign Spirits; and if he will have a copy of the Order exposed in front of each Police Barrack in these districts?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy attention has been called to the prosecution referred to, and I have also received the newspaper report of the proceedings which my hon. Friend has been good enough to send me. The police have already personally warned people concerned against the sale of ether other than as a poison, and the recent conviction and caution administered by the Magistrates, which have been reported in the newspapers, have further published the law on the subject. The suggestion of my hon. Friend with regard to exhibiting a copy of the Order in Council which prohibits the sale of ether other than as a poison is a good one, and steps will be taken to have a copy posted on the notice board at each constabulary station in the districts concerned.
§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)May I ask if compensation has been given to the man who has been prohibited from selling ether?
§ The question was not answered.
§ SIR W. LAWSONCannot the right hon. Gentleman inform me?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir.