HC Deb 20 February 1846 vol 83 cc1261-2
MR. PIGOTT

put the following questions, of which he had given notice to the right hon. Baronet at the head of the Home Department, whether appointments had been made of three persons as Crown Solicitors for the Home Circuit in Ireland, or for certain counties belonging to it, in the room of the Crown Solicitor for that circuit who had died? If that question were answered in the affirmative, then to ask, whether the salaries or emoluments of those officers had been fixed, and if so, at what amount; when were the appointments made; when was it determined to divide the circuit into districts, with separate solicitors, at distinct salaries; and whether there were any objection, on the part of the Government, to laying before the House copies of all documents relating to any alterations which had been made in the office of Crown Solicitor, or in the arrangements for the conduct of Crown prosecutions in Ireland?

SIR J. GRAHAM

had to state, in answer, that the Government had determined to divide the appointment consequent on the death of the Crown Solicitor for the Home Circuit in Ireland. That decision had been come to towards the end of the month of December; but the appointments were not dated until about three weeks ago, and they were to take effect from the 31st of March. He ought first to state that the Home Circuit in Ireland consisted of six counties, and that to each of the three new Crown Solicitors two counties would be allotted, excepting the Crown Solicitor for Dublin should happen to resign or die. As to salaries, the salaries of each would be 500l. a year, and 200l. a year more to cover all expenses: in the agregate, the salaries and allowances would amount to 2,100 a year, being 100l. a year less than the emoluments of the late Crown Solicitor. This change was merely an experiment; and it was stated to be so to the parties, and that the arrangement was terminable at any time. In reply to the latter part of the question, he would say, that there would be no objection to produce the official correspondence on the subject; but it would not be expedient to lay upon the Table the opinions of the Attorney and the Solicitor General.