HC Deb 21 July 1898 vol 62 cc642-3
MR. W. JOHNSTON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. James M'Cann, one of the magistrates who was on the bench in the Summons Court, Belfast, on the 6th instant, and who signed a certificate for a spirit grocer's licence, is traveller for a firm of wine and spirit merchants in Belfast; and, if so, has such action made him liable to a penalty of £100, under the provisions of the 35th and 36th years of Victoria, chapter 94, section 60?

MR. MCCAETAN (Down, S.)

May I ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he is aware that the facts mentioned in the Question do not disclose any violation of the Act referred to, and whether, in such cases, if penalties are incurred, they can only be recovered by action in the High Court of Justice in Ireland?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have no informaion whether the facts are as stated in the first part of the Question. If the provisions of the enactment referred to have been violated, it is open to any person to proceed for the recovery of the penalty.