Lord Clementswished to ask the noble Lord, the Secretary for Ireland, a question. In September last the secretary of the grand jury for Donegal was charged with forgery in the Chief Remembrancer's office. The fact being brought to the Chief Remembrancer's knowledge, he communicated with the Attorney-general for Ireland, and the question he wished to ask was, whether the Attorney-general intended to prosecute?
§ Lord Eliotsaid, the noble Lord having previously intimated to him the nature of the question he had just asked, he had communicated with the Attorney-general for Ireland upon the subject, and the answer he had received was to the effect that many irregularities had occurred in Mr. Spence's department in the Remem- 424 brancer's-office, but that it was the opinion of the law officers that any attempt at present to convict the party of forgery must inevitably fail.
Lord Clementswas aware that the noble Lord was anxions to do his best in this matter, but he was not quite so sure respecting the other authorities in Ireland. The present was really an extraordinary case. The question he wished to ask the noble Lord was with respect to the decision of the Chief Remembrancer, whether he would have any objection to lay before the House the papers which had been furnished to the foreman of the grand jury of the county of Donegal, and also to the judge of assize?
§ Lord Eliothad no objection to produce the papers, but saw no advantage that would be derived from their production.
Lord Clementsthen desired to know from the noble Lord whether the secretary to the grand jury of the county of Donegal had been dismissed, or if it was the tention of her Majesty's Government to do anything towards his dismissal.
§ Mr. Frenchsaid, that the Government had no power to dismiss the secretary of the grand jury.
§ Subject at an end.