§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary how many prosecutions had been brought against publicans in Magherafelt during the past two years, and in how many cases the magistrates convicted; whether the district inspector in that town was exceeding his duty in his endeavour to convict publicans; whether he had recently done the duty of an ordinary constable by visiting the premises of licensed traders during prohibited hours, giving to them unnecessary trouble and annoyance; how many times had he and his men visited the premises of a man named Dorman during the week ending 16th April last; whether all the houses visited by this district inspector and the police were exclusively Catholic; and whether during those two years a publican of any religious denomination, other than Catholic, was prosecuted by District-Inspector Wilbond or by the police?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSix publicans have been prosecuted during the past two years in Magherafelt, and in no case was a conviction obtained, but in three of these cases persons were convicted of being on licensed premises during prohibited hours. In no case has the district inspector exceeded his duty. In the ordinary course of duty he visited Dorman's premises on the 12th and 15th April. It is not a fact that all the public houses visited were exclusively owned by Catholics. 41 Publicans of other religious denominations have been prosecuted by the district inspector and convicted.