§ DR. TANNERI have a number of other questions addressed to the Chief Secretary, and I want to know which ones he will answer.
§ MR. JACKSONI am not sure which questions the hon. Member wishes to have answered besides the questions which he has put about labourers cottages. Does he wish the question about the fisheries answered?
§ DR. TANNERYes, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether policemen in Ireland are now permitted to summarily arrest men charged by the police effecting the arrest with alleged poaching; and whether it is the duty of men in the Royal Irish Constabulary to act as river bailiffs of salmon fisheries?
§ MR. JACKSONI have applied to the Fishery Commissioners for information on this subject, and I have to say that under several Acts it is the duty of the police to act as river bailiffs in certain cases; and I believe they have power under certain Acts also to make arrests.
§ DR. TANNERThe right hon. Gentleman cannot have read my question. I wish to know whether it is the duty of the police to act as river bailiffs of salmon fisheries? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, with regard to Bandon River particularly, certain District Inspectors have taken an important fishery; and the men under their command are being taken away from their duty to act as bailiffs for the protection of the salmon fishery of the district?
§ MR. JACKSONIt is not the duty of the police to act as river bailiffs with reference to the protection of private interests; but it is their duty under certain Acts to act in certain cases as river bailiffs in defence of public and general interests.