§ MR. COGANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is the intention of the Government to take steps to amend the Licensing Act so as to restore to Borough Magistrates in Ireland the power to adjudicate in cases of drunkenness, and to apply the fines inflicted for these offences to local purposes, as hitherto they were empowered under the Towns Improvement Act of 1854?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, in reply, said, that it had not been his intention to make any such proposal in the Clauses which it would be his duty to place upon the Paper for insertion in the Bill recently laid before the House by his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The question was one of some difficulty. Those lines had hitherto been employed for the very useful purpose of increasing the salaries of the Clerks of Petty Sessions, many of whom were very poorly paid. He would, however, consider the matter, and he hoped to be able to submit to the House some proposals which would be satisfactory.