§ 33. Sir J. D. REESasked in what part of Ireland the five prosecutions for noncompliance with the Insurance Act were instituted, and with what result; and why only five prosecutions were instituted in Ireland with a population of 4,380,000, and forty-three in Berkshire with a population of 310,000, the number of resisters being greater in proportion to population in Ireland?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Proceedings have been instituted in five cases only, not forty-three, in Berkshire; and, a I stated in answer to the hon. and gallan Member for South Wolverhampton on 21st November, prosecutions have been instituted in seven, not five, cases in Ireland. Of these three were in county Cork, one in county Westmeath, one in county Louth, one in Dublin, and one is still pending in county Cork. The hon. Member is apparently comparing the summonses, a large number of which are sometimes issued in con- 2074 nection with a single case, with the cases themselves.
§ Sir J. D. REESWere not twenty-seven summonses taken out in Berkshire, and to that extent was there not this great difference?
§ Mr. MASTERMANTwenty-seven is not forty-three. The actual fact is that only five cases have occurred in Berkshire.