§ Mr. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What decision the Lord Chancellor has come to respecting Mr. Herbert, J.P.; whether there is any objection to produce the correspondence which has passed between them; if he will state what portion, if any, of the alleged expressions Mr. Herbert admits having used, and what he denies; if he is aware that several credible witnesses are ready to testify to the words used by Mr. Herbert; and, whether he will grant an inquiry into the matter?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)Sir, the Lord Chancellor being of opinion that the coarse and violent language of Mr. Herbert justified and required rebuke, but did not call for actual dismissal, wrote to Mr. Herbert expressing regret that he (Mr. Herbert) had not been able more specifically and satisfactorily to deny the use of words which were not consistent with the dignity and efficiency of the administration of justice, and the Lord Chancellor expressed his strong disapproval of those words, and cautioned Mr. Herbert against the use of any such expressions hereafter, so long as he was intrusted with magisterial functions. The communications between the Lord Chancellor and magistrates are very often of a delicate nature, and are regarded very properly as confidential; and though there is really nothing in the Correspondence in this case that might not be published, I trust the hon. Member will be satisfied with the notice that has been taken of the language used, and will not press for the production of the Correspondence. Mr. Herbert admits having used some of the language, but not all the language, attributed to him. He admits having referred to buckshot, but denies other expressions.
§ MR. HEALYsaid, that, being dissatisfied with the answer given by the right hon. and learned Gentleman, he would give Notice that, on the Appropriation Bill, he would draw attention to the language used by Irish magis- 623 trates on the Bench, and to the conduct of the Government in allowing the gentleman to whom he referred to remain on the roll of Justices of the Peace.