§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland has considered the action of Mr. James Shanks in signing a licence certificate for a canteen situated in the county Wicklow, Mr. Shanks not being a magistrate for that county, and the local magistrates having refused to grant the licence on the ground that the canteen had been conducted in a disorderly manner; and whether he can now state what decision the Lord Chancellor has come to in regard to Mr. Shanks' action.
§ MR. WYNDHAMMr. Shanks has informed the Lord Chancellor that at the time he signed the order he was not. 279 aware that an application had been made to, and refused by, the justices at petty sessions. He was, moreover, under the impression that the camp at Kilbride was in the county of Dublin and within his jurisdiction. The Lord Chancellor has accepted Mr. Shanks' explanation and does not propose to take any further action in the matter.
§ MR. JAMES O'CONNORasked if it were fitting that a man who professed so much ignorance of his duties should remain on the bench.
§ MR. WYNDHAMdid not reply.
§ MR. JAMES O'CONNORI shall let the right hon. Gentleman know more of this scandalous case on the Vote for his salary.