§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, if the Royal Commission on the Liquor Traffic will extend its Inquiry to Ireland; and if he is able to state the names of the Members of the Royal Commission?
§ MR. FLYNNasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he had any evidence of the existence of any desire on the part of the Irish people to have this Inquiry? [Laughter.]
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENasked the right hon. Gentleman whether several influential meetings had not been held in Ireland to protest against this Inquiry?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Government have no intention of excluding Ireland from the scope this Inquiry, and creating what might turn out to be a new national grievance. [Laughter.] The names of the Commissioners are now practically decided upon, but it is impossible for me, at present, to state a day for giving them. I trust to be able to do so before the Easter Recess.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)asked whether, in view of the great difference between the licensing laws of England and Ireland, the Government would grant a separate Inquiry for Ireland?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That Question does not arise out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer.