§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will obtain the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown in Ireland upon the point of how long the rate collectors' warrants remain in force, with a view to saving the expense of further litigation in the matter.
§ THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.)At the request of my right hon. friend, I will reply to this Question. The Law Officers of the Crown in Ireland are the legal advisers of the Crown, and not of local administrative bodies. It is no part of their duties to advise these bodies, nor would their opinion, if given, be binding on these bodies, their officers, or members of the public. The answer to the Question is, therefore, in the negative.