§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a decision given in the King's Bench Division at Dublin on the 13th instant declaring that it was a violation of the law to inscribe the name of the owner upon a vehicle in the Irish language, although Roman characters were used; and what course the police authorities will pursue to ensure due compliance with the law.
MR. BRYCEI am advised that the effect of the decision of the King's Bench Division is correctly stated in the Question. The police authorities will endeavour to secure that the main object of the law, viz., the ascertainment of the ownership of a vehicle by which any damage is done, is duly secured; and it will be a question in each particular case what steps may best be taken for that purpose.
§ MR. LONSDALECannot the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the names shall appear in the language spoken in the country.
MR. BRYCEI think it desirable that the names should be printed legibly and intelligibly. The object is to secure that the owner shall be recognisable.
§ MR. LONSDALEIf the name is in Irish characters will the police be able to recognise it?