§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the charge of the Lord Chief Baron to the grand jury in the court-house, Green Street, Dublin, on Wednesday last, the 3rd inst., concerning the deplorable increase of drunkenness in the Dublin Metropolitan Police area, amounting to 1,385 cases, or 50 per cent, over the corresponding period for 1897; and whether, taking into, consideration the statement of the Lord Chief Baron, that two-thirds of the entire crime investigated in courts of justice were due to drunkenness, he will facilitate the passing of the Bill for Sunday Closing and Earlier Saturday Closing next Session, as it was approved by the Select Committee of the House of Commons?
§ MR. ATKINSONThe attention of the Irish Government has been directed to the observations of the Lord Chief Baron, to which reference is made in the Question. The Irish Government cannot at present give any pledge regarding legislation that may be introduced next Session.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs it not the fact that the figures given by the Lord Chief Baron relate to arrests for drunkenness. Does the law of England allow the police to arrest people merely for drunkenness——
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The honourable Member is obviously arguing the Question.