§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)I wish to 1248 ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that in the case of the inquest on Mr. Mandeville, the local Police Inspector refused to summon the jury unless he was served with a precept from the Coroner, and then that he only summoned 12 jurors, mostly Conservatives, of whom only five appeared; and, whether the right hon. Gentleman will instruct the police to secure that the legal functions of the Coroner's Court shall be effectively discharged?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I have no official knowledge of the facts stated by the hon. Member. I have heard, however, that the police, thinking the case was not one for an inquest, waited for the action of the Coroner before taking steps. I presume they are now carrying out their official duty in the summoning of a jury in accordance with the law.