HC Deb 16 May 1881 vol 261 cc562-3
MR. BIGGAR

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If he is aware that the county court judge of Antrim exercises criminal and civil jurisdiction within the borough of Belfast, which borough has a separate jurisdiction, with a recorder, court, and officers, and is such jurisdiction by the county court judge according to the statute; and, if so, is it desirable to continue a dual jurisdiction in Belfast?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. Law)

Sir, the County Court Judge and Chairman of Quarter Sessions of the county of Antrim is also Recorder of the borough of Belfast, which includes part of that county as well as part of the County Down, and as such in exercises criminal and civil jurisdiction within the borough. This is quite in accordance with the law, and is, in fact, required by the County Officers and Courts Act of 1877.

MR. BIGGAR

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If it is the fact that the county court judge and justices of Antrim hold the annual licensing quarter sessions for the district of Belfast about the middle of November, over one month after the licences expire; and that last year it was necessary for applicants for transfers and confirmations of licences to apply to His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for authority to carry on trading in the interregnum; and, whether it is possible to provide fur the holding of annual licensing courts at such times as will obviate difficulties of a similar character?

THE ATTORNLY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)

Sir, the annual licensing quarter sessions for the Belfast division of the County of Antrim were last year held on the 1st of November, and are this year fixed for the 31st of October. I am not aware of its having been found necessary last year to make any such applications to the Lord Lieutenant as are mentioned in the Question. Though licences expire before the middle of October, and, therefore, before the licensing quarter sessions are held in most parts of Ireland, ample opportunity is afforded for obtaining renewals and provisional transfers before that day, by application to the justices at petty sessions, or at ordinary quarter sessions, such transfers holding good until whatever time the licensing quarter sessions are held. There is thus no inconvenience or difficulty caused, nor is any change of the system required.