§ Mr. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to a public entertainment extensively placarded which is announced to be held at Wood Green Track, on Thursday next, entitled the great match for the beef dressing championship of the world for £200 a side; whether public butchering contests are violations of the common law; whether he is aware that, when a similar exhibition was held at Gateshead in February last, the Mayor of Gateshead stated that in the event of any repetition of the exhi- 228 bition prompt action would be taken against the parties concerned; and whether any, and, if so, what steps will be taken in the interests of public decency to prohibit these contests?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI have seen the placard which the honourable Member has been good enough to send me; but however much I may personally criticise an entertainment of this kind, I am not aware that there is anything illegal in it, or that I have any power to prohibit it. I have no information as to the action of the Mayor of Gateshead in a similar case, and have had no time yet to make inquiry.
§ Mr. MACNEILLIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that a military band is announced to attend this entertainment?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI know nothing about that.