§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the address delivered by Mr. Ernest Hart on ether drinking in Ireland, wherein it appears that large quantities of duty free methylated ether is retailed as a beverage and cheap intoxicant in South Derry and Tyrone, in virtue of the provisions of the Act 18 & 19 Vic. cap. 37; and whether he will take steps to restrict this sale, and thus prevent the serious evils which arise from it?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square)The improper use of ether in certain rural districts of the North of Ireland as an intoxicant and the serious and sometimes fatal results ensuing from this practice have received the careful attention of Her Majesty's Government, who consulted the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin on the matter. In accordance with a recommendation of the college, an Order of the Lord Lieutenant in Council was passed on Saturday last scheduling sulphuric ether as a poison, and it can now be only sold by qualified chemists and as a poison. It is hoped that this measure will effectually stop the supply of ether to the public as an intoxicant.