§ MR. JOHN KELLYI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is proposed to make any alteration with reference to the very extensive patronage now vested in the President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division before any successor to Sir James Hannen is appointed; and whether, if such alteration should be made, it would have the effect of securing a fair prospect of promotion to the highest offices to those who may have filled efficiently the higher and subordinate offices?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe right of appointment to offices in the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division is vested by Act of Parliament in the President for the time being; and Her Majesty having been pleased to approve of Mr. Jeune as the new Judge, Mr. Justice Butt has already, as senior Judge of the Division, by virtue of the Judicature Acts become President. No alteration, as far I know, is likely to be proposed in the prospects of the clerks of the Probate Registry, where the opportunities of rising appear to be better than in any other department of the Supreme Court.