§ MR. BUTTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the rule stated by him to be observed as to the payment of the costs and damages recovered against Government officials was acted on in reference to an action tried in the Court of Queen's Bench, in Michaelmas term 1870, brought by James O'Donnell, esquire, of the county Mayo, against William Morony, esquire, a stipendiary magistrate, and John Crampton, esquire, a magistrate of that county; and, if so, whether the damages recovered in that case were paid out of funds provided by the Government?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, in reply, said, the statement alluded to by the hon. Member had reference only to the practice which would be pursued by Government at the present time, and he was not in a position to give any information about a case which happened three years ago. A Question as to that case had better be addressed to his noble Predecessor.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI have no knowledge of the matter, which happened long before I came into office.