§ MR. MOLLOYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true that, in the King's County, of the thirteen Deputy-Lieutenants only one is a Catholic, and of the ninety-two Justices of the Peace only six are Catholics; and, whether, since nearly ninety per cent of the inhabitants are Catholics, the Irish Government will appoint Catholics to future vacancies?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the Government has no official knowledge of the religious persuasions of Deputy Lieutenants or Justices of the Peace. A Return is at present being prepared, in compliance with an Order of this House, which will give some information on the subject. I must remind the hon. Member that the selection of gentlemen for appointment as Deputy Lieutenants is not made by the Government. With regard to the magistrates, I will draw the attention of the Lord Chancellor to the fact of this Question having been asked.