§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, considering his recent statement that the investigators in Ireland under the Crime Prevention Act have the same power as justices in petty sessions to hear solicitors, as well as counsel, in cases heard before them, and considering that Mr. David Lynch, barrister, Investigator under the Crime Prevention Act, recently refused to hear solicitors at Tralee, and persisted in his refusal, Whether, in view of another session of the investigating court at Tralee, presided over by Mr. David Lynch, and the difficulty and cost of procuring counsel in a place so remote as Tralee, the Irish Executive will convey to Mr. Lynch a direct official intimation that he has the power to hear solicitors, and that it is desirable in the public interest he should allow the option, when application is made to him to do so?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe question of hearing solicitors is one which is left to the discretion of the investigator, and no official communication with Mr. Lynch on the subject appears to me to be necessary, or, indeed, appropriate. I can hardly doubt that Mr. Lynch is aware of the legal opinion quoted by the hon. Member in favour of hearing solicitors.