§ Mr. COTTONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on Friday, 5th May, Mr. White, a licensed trader, carrying on business at 70, Lower George's Street, Kingstown, notified the superintendent of police that he intended entertaining some friends on the following Sunday, that he was told by the superintendent that he might do so, and that notwithstanding this fact he was visited on four different occasions by a police sergeant, a station sergeant, and a constable, who, on two occasions, went upstairs into his private room, and on the occasion of the final visit took down the names and addresses of the guests; whether Mr. White has since been informed that there will be no prosecution; and, if so, will he state whether this decision was the result of an investigation upon the part of the superintendent, commissioner, or commissioners of police; and if any steps will be taken to prevent in future such interference with the ordinary privacy of members of the licensed trade?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTH (Lord of the Treasury)Perhaps the hon. Member will permit mo to reply: Mr. White did notify the police as stated. The police in the ordinary course of their duty visited the premises three times—such visits are paid to hotels and other licensed premises when entertainments are being given. The matter was reported to the Commissioner of Police, who decided that there was nothing unusual in this case, and no summons was therefore issued.