§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the complaint of the Irish Temperance League that in many cases magistrates cannot be got to convict publicans for breaches of the licensing law, even on the clearest evidence; and whether the Irish Government will revert to the practice of not appointing publicans to the magisterial bench?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Lord Chancellor has seen a newspaper report of the proceedings referred to of the meeting of the Irish Temperance League. The practice has been not to appoint publicans to the magistracy, but in particular cases a departure has been made under exceptional circumstances calling for it.