§ MR. FLYNN (Cork County, N.)I beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the Board of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to recent appeals at Ennis Quarter Sessions, before the County Court Judge, against convictions at petty sessions, at which two farmers were fined by the magistrates for selling butter containing excess of moisture, viz., 17.3 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively; is he aware that the County Court Judge reversed the decisions of the magistrates, on the ground that the batter was genuine and not injurious to health; and whether, in view of the injury to the reputation of the bulk of Irish butter, which is caused by the sale of some Irish firkin butter containing an excess of moisture, he will take steps to deal with the question, either by expediting the passage of the Sale of Butter Bill now before the House, or by amendment of the Order in Council.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverAt my hon. friend's request, I will reply to this Question. The decisions of the magistrates were reversed on technical grounds. In one case the County Court Judge held that the summons was bad; and in the second case he decided that the order of the magistrates directing payment of the fine to the secretary of the county council was wrong.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI understand that my hon. friend hopes to pass the Bill.