§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (Longford, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that at the assizes held last week in Longford, juriors holding spirit licences were not allowed to serve on any of the several juries empannelled, although many of them are grand jurors at quarter sessions; and, whether, if it is the fact, the Irish Government will direct that in future persons holding such licences may not be put to the trouble, loss of time, and considerable expense, of coming from all parts of the Country to attend as jurors, when net considered to be worthy of that position by the officers of the Crown?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)In reply to my hon. Friend, I have to say that the rules for the guidance of the Clerk of the Crown prescribe that holders of spirit licences are not allowed to serve as jurors in criminal cases. I am informed that the rule is not carried out in all cases. No doubt there is something in the suggestion of the last paragraph of the Question which requires consideration.