§ SIR WILERID LAWSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Inspector of Constabulary has reported that the Devonport Watch Committee continues the system of "investigating the charges" made against licensed houses, "and deciding which shall be allowed to be taken before the magistrates;" and, if this be so, whether he sees his way towards procuring any change in this system of interference with the action of the police?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, my attention has been directed to this Re- 299 port. I may inform the hon. baronet that a Committee is sitting in the other House of Parliament on this subject, and I have called the attention of that Committee specially to this Report. I know they are making inquiries on the subject, not only in connection with the town to which he refers, but also with reference to other towns throughout the Kingdom. I hope before long to be able to afford more satisfactory information upon the matter than I am at present able to give.