§ Mr. SLOANasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that for some time past it has been almost impossible at the Belfast police court for the police to obtain a conviction against any spirit grocer who is summoned for violation of the Licensing Act, and that on the 7th instant five cases were dismissed, on which occasion Mr. S. W. Boyd, a distiller, was on the bench; if he would inquire whether Mr. Boyd took part in the deliberations contrary to the statute; and, if so, what action he will take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that there have been complaints of the difficulty of obtaining convictions for breaches of the Licensing Acts in Belfast, and that on the 7th instant five cases of the kind were dismissed. I understand that Mr. Boyd was on the bench on that day, but took no part in the deliberations on cases under the Licensing Acts.