HC Deb 09 May 1901 vol 93 cc1171-2
*MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that John Bell, a tradesman in Kenmare, county Kerry, has been refused a gun licence by the resident magistrate on the ground that he has no land, although at least nine other persons in the same town who have been granted gun licences have no land; and, seeing that inconvenience has been caused by reason of this refusal to the religious institution in Kenmare which had previously employed John Bell to shoot vermin on its grounds, will he take the necessary steps to have a licence issued in due course.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N., for Mr. WYNDHAM)

The discretion of granting or withholding a licence to keep firearms is vested by law in the licensing officer, who is the resident magistrate of the district. In the present case the licensing officer has refused to grant a licence to John Bell. No inconvenience, however, will be caused by this refusal, as the licence has been, or is about to be, issued to another man employed on the convent grounds.

*MR. BOLAND

Was any reason given by the resident magistrate for refusing the licence?

MR. ATKINSON

He only gives reasons to himself.

*MR. BOLAND

Is it not the fact that he wrote to the applicant "I understand you have no land," thus giving reason?