§ VISCOUNT CRICHTONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the "Ulster Examiner and Northern Star" newspaper, published in Belfast on the 24th of April last, containing attacks upon Mr. Justice Lawson, one of Her Majesty's Judges of Assize on the North East Circuit, in respect to his conduct in the performance of his judicial functions; and what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take in consequence of those attacks?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON,in reply, said, that his attention had been called to the article in question, and that he need hardly say it was most objectionable and highly reprehensible. There was, however, a great difference between holding this opinion and giving instructions that criminal proceedings should be taken. On the 24th of April the newspaper in question was submitted to the Attorney General for Ireland, and, while he agreed that the attack was very objectionable, he did not advise Her Majesty's Government to institute a criminal prosecution against that paper.