§ MR. KENNYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that three of the special resident magistrates, including amongst the number Mr. Clifford Lloyd, have recently been promoted to first class, over the heads of magistrates by many years their seniors; if it is a fact that some of the latter have had as much as 18 or 19 years' active service, whilst Mr. Clifford Lloyd has had only seven years' experience; and, whether the promotions in these cases have been altogether contrary to the usage in the Resident Magistrates' Department for the past 16 years?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the facts are substantially as stated in the first and second paragraphs of this Question. Three of the magistrates acting as Special Resident Magistrates were selected for promotion to the first class from members of the second class, some of whom had longer service than the gentlemen selected. Those who were selected for promotion were selected, I presume, on the same grounds that induced their selection as Special Resident Magistrates. It has not been the invariable practice to promote to the first class by seniority, nor does the Lord Lieutenant think it desirable that any such practice should be introduced.
§ MR. HEALYMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in bringing forward the Bill he proposes to introduce to-night, he will give an explanation of the extraordinary state of facts described in this Question?
§ MR. TREVELYANI will give an explanation of facts; but I am not sure that they will be extraordinary.