§ MR. O'MARA (Kelkenny, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many illicit distilleries were discovered in Scotland 359 and Ireland respectively during the period of the last Returns available, and what was the average reward paid in respect of each country; will he say on what principle these rewards are assessed, and whether any facts have come to his knowledge during the inquiry which he promised last session which explain the large sums received in the past by the Royal Irish Constabulary in respect of these discoveries of illicit stills.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN) Worcestershire, E.The latest figures in my possession are for the year 1900–1. There were in that year 2,008 seizures in Ireland and only one in Scotland. I am unable to say what was the average reward paid in these cases; but a new scale of rewards was adopted in November last as a result of the enquiries made by me, under which rewards for the seizure of small quantities of spirits and wash and of isolated articles, such as still-heads, worms, etc., were abolished, and the amount of the reward for larger seizures was reduced and some further modifications made in the pre-existing practice. I shall carefully watch the result of these changes.