§ Mr. GEORGE ROBERTSasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the urban councils of Galway, Athlone, Longford, and Nenagh have definitely decided to have nothing to do with the Shops Act, and have refused to appoint any officers to secure its effective administration; and whether he will consider the desirability of obtaining power by legislation, if necessary, to carry out the Act where local authorities neglect to do so?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that the urban councils mentioned have, so far, failed to carry out the duties imposed on them by the Shops Act, 1912; but that it 823W is not anticipated that this inaction will be of long duration in the cases of some at least of these councils. The question of taking steps to compel local authorities to enforce the Act is at present engaging the attention of the Law Officers of the Crown.