§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to the report of a conversation which took place at the recent Roscommon Assizes between Judge O'Brien and the Grand Jury relative to the sale of adulterated drinks at fairs and markets, and to the discharge by the police of their duties under the Adulteration of Food Act; and, if he will inform the House what instructions have been issued to the police on the subject by the Inspector General of Constabulary?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH,in reply, said, that his attention was directed to the report of the conversation alluded to by the hon. Member; but he did not think the report was entirely accurate. The Constabulary were not the servants of the local authority, and there was a difficulty at present in providing them with the funds necessary in order to carry out the Act. He was in communication with the Vice President of the Local Government Board on the subject, and hoped soon to be able to remedy the difficulty.