§ Mr. O'SHEEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there is any regulation at present in force prohibiting Crown solicitors in Ireland acting for publicans in licensing matters; if so, whether the prohibition applies to cases of transfers of licences, charges for alleged breaches of the Licensing Acts, and preparing assignments of licensed premises; whether it is permissible for a Crown solicitor to carry on these proceedings for a licensed publican provided he gets another solicitor to represent him in the Petty Sessions or Quarter Sessions Court; and whether, if abuses in this connection are brought under his notice, he will take any action?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The prohibition applies to cases of transfer of licences and defence of charges for alleged breaches of the licensing laws, but does not apply to the preparation of the assignments of licensed premises. It is not permissible for a Crown solicitor to act as suggested in the third paragraph. Any abuse of the regulation referred to will, if brought to my notice, be inquired into.