MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware of the general dissatisfaction felt amongst petty sessions clerks in Ireland with the form Schedule B, Registry of Dogs Licence, which requires the signature of the petty sessions clerk to be appended in four places; and, whether he will have provided a more simple form of licence, such as is in use in England?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe body of the licence referred to is in conformity with the form prescribed by the Dogs Regulation Act of 1865, and although I am not aware that general dissatisfaction is felt by petty sessions clerks as alleged in the Question, it appears to me that the form of licence is 910 somewhat complicated. If a suitable opportunity should present itself hereafter to simplify the body of the form by legislation, I will be prepared to substitute a form for that now in use. I may add that the signature of the Clerk is really required in two places only on the existing form, and that the note on the form requiring the cancellation of the stamps by signature will be modified.