HC Deb 15 December 1893 vol 19 c1493
MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Owen Joseph Kelly, Mountain View, Blackrock, County Louth, upon whom the Commission of the Peace was lately Conferred, sat on the Bench at Licensing Sessions for the County of Louth on the 31st October last; whether he is aware that Mr. Kelly is a partner in or connected with the firm of C. Smyth and Company, wholesale and retail wine and spirit merchants, Clanbrassie Street, Dundalk; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

I wish, Sir, to know whether it is according to the practice of the House, unless some illegality or impropriety is suggested, to allow questions of this kind to be put in regard to private individuals? What this gentleman did is a common occurrence in England, and I do not see why it should be complained of in Ireland.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

It is because of its illegality that I put the question.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

I cannot rule that the question is out of Order.

MR. BRYCE (for Mr. J. MORLEY)

The inquiries into this matter are not quite completed. It has been referred to the Lord Chancellor, and I must ask the hon. Member to repeat the question on Monday.