HC Deb 13 February 1851 vol 114 cc508-9
MR. M'CULLAGH

rose to ask a question of the right hon. Gentleman the Attorney General for Ireland, of which he had given notice. That the House might understand the question, he must make one or two observations, and then leave them to judge of the importance of the question which he meant to put. It might not be generally known that in the superior courts of law in Ireland, there was an officer called a Master who fulfilled duties similar to those that were discharged by corresponding officers in the superior courts of law in this country. It had become generally current by rumour amongst the profession in Ireland, that Government had an intention to suppress one or more of the courts of law in that country; a great deal of feeling was excited on the subject, and it was desirable that, as soon as possible, the feeling should be allayed, if it were unfounded, and that they should know as soon as possible when that process of abolition and centralisation would begin.

LORD J. RUSSELL

rose to order. The hon. and learned Gentleman, not satisfied with asking a question, which he had a right to do, had taken it for granted that some process of abolition and centralisation was going to begin. The question could not be answered without going into a long debate, and he submitted that the hon. and learned Gentleman was not at all in order.

MR. M'CULLAGH

begged to say, that he was in the hands of the House; but if the noble Lord would hear, he would find that he did not impute to the Government any intention whatever. He had merely said—[Cries of "Question!"] The question he had to put, was, whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce any measure, during the present Session, for the purpose of abolishing the office of Master, in any and which of the superior courts in Ireland?

MR. HATCHELL

In answer to the question of the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Dundalk, I have to state, that it is not the intention of the Government to introduce any measure, during the present Session, for the pur- pose of abolishing the office of Master in any of the law courts in Ireland. Subject at an end.