§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether the list of names of persons selected to serve on the Royal Commission on the Licensing Laws, which appeared in The Times of the 25th instant, is correct; whether the names of the three Commissioners to represent Ireland were selected with the consent of any representatives of any organised Irish interest; and, if so, whether he has any objection to name the persons who, as representatives of Irish public opinion, sanctioned their selection; whether he can name the persons on whose recommendation The O'Conor Don, who carried the Irish Sunday Closing Hill through this House, was placed on the Royal Commission as a neutral; and, whether he is aware that the licensed trade organisation of Dublin have by resolution protested against the selection of The O'Conor Don as 186 a neutral; and, if so, whether he will reconsider the composition of this Commission, either by changing the alleged Irish selections or by adding others.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThere are inaccuracies in the list which appears to have got into The Times. It is impossible for me to enter into a discussion as to the sources of information which the Government have or may avail themselves of in dealing with this difficult question. The hon. Gentleman will understand that when a Commission dealing with such an important question is appointed, and when it is limited to a reasonable compass, it is almost impossible that there should not be gentlemen and even interests thinking that they are not adequately represented on the Commission. We have done our very best to represent all classes, and I trust that when the names are announced they will meet with general satisfaction.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENasked, whether the right hon. Gentleman did not think it unfair that The O'Conor Don, who had taken such strong action in the House against an important trade interest in Ireland, should be appointed to the Commission, seeing that the representation of Ireland then included two opponents and only one supporter of the trade?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am afraid that I cannot discuss any name on the Commission now, or even admit that any particular name is going to be submitted to the Queen.
§ MR. W. REDMONDAs the right hon. Gentleman says that the report in The Times is inaccurate, is he in a position to give to the House an accurate list of the Commissioners and the terms of reference-
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYNot as yet; but I hope to be able to do so before Easter.