§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, To state the total number of stipendiary magistrates in Ireland and the number of them who are not members of the legal profession; and also asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to state the total number of stipendiary justices of the peace in England and. Wales, and the number of them who are not members of the legal profession?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON,in reply, said, the number in England and Wales was 18, of whom 12 were appointed under the Municipal Corporations Act, two under the Stipendiary Magistrates Act, and four under local Acts. In all cases a stipendiary magistrate was required to be, on his appointment, a barrister of five years' standing; and if the stipendiary appointed a deputy, he must be a barrister of seven years' standing.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHsaid, that similar information with respect to Ireland previous to the year 1872 was contained in a Return which had been presented to the House. The stipendiary magistrates appointed since that date were very few in number, and if the hon. Member would move for a continuation of that Return it should be given.