§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any regulation exists by which members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police may be compelled to deal for such goods as they may require at particular shops; and, if not, whether he will inquire whether any compulsion in that direction has been attempted in the district of Kilmainham; and, if he finds that there has been, whether he will take steps to put a stop to it.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURNo officer of any rank in the Dublin Metropolitan Police is permitted directly, or indirectly, to interfere with the members of the force in the purchase of goods that they require for their private use, and they are not required to deal with particular shops. A letter, bearing no signature, was recently received by the Chief Commissioner to the effect that an officer had influenced one of the men at Kilmainham Police Station to change his butcher, and on inquiry it was ascertained that there was 1303 not a particle of foundation for the allegation.