§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Irish hotel keepers are not entitled to supply food during prohibited hours for the sale of intoxicating drink; and whether, having regard to the statement of the Prime Minister in the Debates of the Licensing Bill of last year that there was no intention 517 of preventing the sale of food and nonalcoholic refreshments on licensed premises in a room set apart for that purpose, he will assimiliate the practice in Ireland to that of England?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe matter is not one of practice, but of law. The rights of the Irish hotel keepers are governed by the Irish Licensing Acts, and I have no dispensing power. The observations of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had reference to an English Licensing Bill which did not become law.