§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)To ask the Chief-Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how many samples were taken under he Food and Drugs Act in Ireland for the years 1905–6–7, distinguishing between solid and liquid; how 646 many prosecutions were instituted; and with what result; how many public analysts are employed, what salaries are they paid, and can he say if the county councils contribute to the expense of this department; and whether the work of analysis is entirely performed by the public analyst whose signature is appended to the certificates given in evidence in prosecutions under the Food and Drugs Act.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have no information as to the first part of the Question. There is a public analyst for each county and borough. These analysts are appointed and paid by the respective councils. Some of them are paid by salaries varying from £5 to £300 per annum, others by fees, and in a few cases payment is made partly by fees and partly by salary. The Board are not aware of the arrangements made by the analysts for the discharge of their duties.