§ 36. Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Petrol Control Committee is the sole authority for the issue of permits for the purchase of petrol; will he state under what Statute or in pursuance of what duty a district inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary has recently served notice in writing on an Irish firm in Kilkenny warning them that the sale of petrol to any person is prohibited unless a permit issued by the police is produced by the purchaser or unless the licence issued by the Petrol Control Committee is countersigned by the police; will he state by whose authority it has been decided that such licences are invalid unless countersigned by the police; and, if this Regulation is not sanctioned by any Statute and is not permitted in England, will he take steps to see that officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary obey the law and do not take upon themselves powers which have not been given to them?
§ Mr. DUKEIn the procedure adopted by them in this matter, the police were acting in accordance with instructions from the military authorities in Ireland. I am making inquiries as to the matters of law which are involved in the question.
§ Mr. O'BRIENI will repeat the question.