HC Deb 22 June 1888 vol 327 cc989-90
MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. Peter McDermott, of Ashfield House, Kilkenny, J.P. for the City of Kilkenny, was receiver under the Chancery Division (Land Judges) in "Reade v. Reade," failed to account for moneys received by him, and, in November, 1885, filed a sworn account stating as due by the tenants arrears of rent actually received by him; whether some of the moneys thus omitted to be accounted for have since been paid into Court; whether Mr. Justice Boyd, on February 23, 1888, directed proceedings to be taken against Mr. McDermott for the balance; and, what steps the Government intend to take in the matter?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

, in reply, said, that the case of "Reade v. Reade" had long since closed, and the Question, therefore, related to another case in which there was some £5 14s. 4d. outstanding, and the Judge directed an application to be made to Mr. McDermott for an explanation in regard to it. The Government did not propose to take any action in the matter.

MR. CHANCE

I wish to call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the Question, and to point out that he has not answered a particular item of it. I have asked him whether this Mr. McDermott failed to account for money received by him? I ask an answer to that paragraph of the Question.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, that the hon. Member must be inaccurate in his Question, because the suit of "Reade v. Reade" had been disposed of for some time.

MR. CHANCE

What I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman is, whether in November, 1885, Peter McDermott filed a sworn account containing a statement which was untrue?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Gentleman will, I think, see that it is not my business to interfere with the action of a Court of Justice, over which I have no control whatever?

MR. CHANCE

I am sorry to trouble the House, but I must point out that I have asked the right hon. Gentleman whether this gentleman is a Justice of the Peace, and whether the Government intend to take any steps in the matter?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The Government propose to take no step in the matter. I am sorry my voice did not reach the hon. Gentleman, but I said so in the first instance.

MR. CHANCE

Will the right hon. Gentleman state that the Government will not enter a nolle prosequi if this gentleman is prosecuted for embezzlement?

[No reply.]