§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Limerick, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will consider the advisability of having the duties of Inspectors under the Explosives Act performed in future by the Royal Irish Constabulary, instead of by persons paid out of the Rates for the Relief of the Poor, and whose appointments are made and salaries fixed by the Magistrates at Petty Sessions?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)This is a matter which it is within the power of the Local Authorities to deal with. They can, if they see fit, appoint members of the Constabulary to act as Inspectors under the Explosives Act, and thus relieve the rates.
1739 An hon. MEMBER asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the Boards of Guardians had made repeated representations to the Local Government Board in reference to this matter, and that those representations were unattended to. The magistrates comprised the Local Authorities, and the Boards of Guardians appeared to have no authority in the matter whatever?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHsaid, the Government had done all they could in the matter. Some time ago a Circular was issued to the Local Authorities, pointing out that they had power to appoint members of the Royal Irish Constabulary as Inspectors. Inquiry would be made as to how far the recommendations had been carried out.