MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that an inquest was held at Belfast on 18th May last on the body of a man named Robert Patterson, when it was proved that Patterson was supplied with a scheduled poison at an establishment in Mill Street, Belfast, owned by the Ulster Chemists, Limited; that he was given the poison without the statutory requirement of knowledge by or introduction to the seller, or the signing of the book kept for the registration of such sales, contrary to the provisions of the Poisons (Ireland) Act; will he explain why, although the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland drew the attention of the inspector general of constabulary to the matter, he has replied that it has been decided that they would not undertake prosecutions of this kind?
§ SIR J. HASLETT (Belfast, N.)Is the right honourable Gentleman aware that the poison was sold to the customer in the shop; that it was duly registered in the poisons book, and signed for according to the law?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe facts of the case mentioned in the Question were fully investigated by Government, who were advised that it was not one in which the Crown should institute a prosecution, and that proceedings in the case should be taken by the Pharmaceutical Society, if so advised.