HC Deb 08 July 1867 vol 188 cc1250-1

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 35 (Vacancies in Offices of Pleading and Record Assistant and Chief Clerk to be filled by Judges).

MR. VANCE

said, he moved in line 28, to leave out "Judges of the Court," and insert "Chief Justice or Chief Baron, as the case may be." His object was, that the Chief Judges of the Court should have the appointment of the superior officers, as was the case in England.

Amendment proposed, in line 28, to leave out the words "Judges of the Court," in order to insert the words "Chief Justice or Chief Baron, as the case may be,"—(Mr. Vance,)—instead thereof.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WARREN)

said, that the only object he had in view was to secure the appointment of efficient officers, and that could be best done by leaving the matter to all the Judges, every one of whom was as much interested in having proper officers appointed as the Chief Judge.

SIR COLMAN O'LOGHLEN

said, he would rather give patronage to the Government than to Judges; but, if it were conferred on the Judges, there should be a practicable system of exercising it.

LORD NAAS

said, he considered the proposal of the Bill to be preferable.

MR. CHILDERS

said, that the patronage, if left to four, would be exercised without responsibility.

MR. HENLEY

said, he concurred in that view.

MR. SYNAN

said, he would ask on what principle the patronage was to be exercised if the four Judges differed in opinion?

Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause."

The Committee divided: — Ayes 88; Noes 35: Majority 53.

Clause 37 (Officers of abolished Offices to continue Officers of Court to which they shall have been attached, and to receive Salaries if they discharge Duties imposed upon them).

GENERAL DUNNE

said, he had to move an Amendment that any Officer who had served more than twenty-five years should be able to retire upon a pension amounting to his full salary, instead of having to serve forty years, as provided by the Bill, before he should be entitled to his full pension.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WARREN)

said, he must oppose the Amendment.

Clause withdrawn.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND

said he had to move an Amendment that Officers who had served twenty-five years, and whose services were no longer required in the same capacity, should be required to serve in some other suitable position, and that if they refused to do so they should not be allowed to retire on full pay.

Clause agreed to.

House resumed.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Thursday.