§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the managing body of the Cork Butter Market assume to themselves the power of summoning people before them to answer charges; whether they summon and examine witnesses in support of those charges; whether they impose and levy heavy fines on members of the public dealing in the market, under threat of preventing them from further dealing therein if such fines be not paid; whether their meetings are held with closed doors, with both the public and the press excluded; whether such acts constitute the holding of an illegal court for the purpose of intimidating Her Majesty's subjects; whether the Solicitor General for Ireland was for many years Law adviser to this body; whether four members of that body are 1729 magistrates; and, whether the Government will take means to put a stop to such practices?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI have sent to Ireland for the information necessary to enable me to answer the Question, but have not yet received it. I suppose there has not been time. If the hon. Member will put the Question down again for Monday, I shall probably be able to answer it then.
§ MR. HEALYwished to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in obtaining the information necessary, he would consult, not only the authorities of the Cork Butter Market, but make inquiries amongst the traders?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe hon. Member may not be aware that his Question is drawn so as, apparently, to set out only one side of the facts. I must hear the other side before I can give him the answer.