§ MR. CARSON (Dublin University)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether an unusual number of new spirit licences have been granted in Ireland at the last Michaelmas and Hilary Sessions through the voting of newly-appointed Magistrates at the Sessions; and whether he can state the numbers of such licences granted at the said Sessions, and at the previous Michaelmas and Hilary Sessions respectively?
MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that it would not be possible to obtain information as to the voting of individual Magistrates on applications for spirit licences in Ireland, as the only record kept of the result of such applications is one stating that they were "granted" or "refused." With regard to the second paragraph, I understand that to procure the information desired would necessitate correspondence with the several Clerks of the Peace and with the Clerks of Petty Sessions, and that the compilation of the Returns would occupy some time. It is for the hon. and learned Gentleman to say whether he desires the information to be procured, in view of the fact that 455 the voting of individual Magistrates is not recorded.
§ MR. CARSONWould the right hon. Gentleman object to a Return, according to counties, of the new licences granted at these Sessions?
MR. J. MORLEYI do not think there would be any objection to granting such a Return. I will, however, inquire.
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)How many of the new Magistrates are publicans?
§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)Is it not a fact that the Magistrates appointed since the present Government came into Office amount to only one-tenth of the whole number?
§ MR. BODKIN (Roscommon, N.)Is it not a fact that the Conservatives are still in a vast majority on every Petty Sessions Bench in Ireland?
§ [No answer was given.]