§ MR. PATRICK MARTINasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, When, and under what circumstances, was the office of Law Adviser created; what were the duties imposed on that officer, and were the same regulated by any minute or how otherwise; and, is the present discharge of the special duties of that officer by the Solicitor General for Ireland, now prescribed by any order, or minute, or how otherwise?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe office of Law Adviser was not created by the Crown, and no definite record can be found to show how it originated; but the result of the search made shows that from the year 1803 onwards to 1849 occasional payments were made to a member of the Bar for assistance given to the Attorney General in legal matters. In the year 1849 a salary was first provided, and the office gradually developed into the position which it has recently held. The duties are not defined by minute or otherwise, and no minute or order has been made prescribing their discharge by a Law Officer.
§ MR. PATRICK MARTINHas no order been made prescribing their discharge by the Solicitor General?
§ MR. TREVELYANNo, Sir; no order has been made to that effect.