HC Deb 28 February 1884 vol 285 c88
MR. GIBSON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following words of the junior Member for Monaghan (as reported in The Freeman's Journal of 21st):— What justice can we expect in Ireland when sentences are arranged beforehand in the Privy Council? Every indictment is considered in the Privy Council by the Lawsons, the Morrises, the O'Briens, and the Mays. No; when we come to trial our condemnation is cut and dry; and, whether he will take the earliest opportunity in his power to refute and explain the extraordinary misconception shown in these words, relative to the Privy Council and the eminent judges referred to?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, there never was a statement made in the House of Commons more entirely without foundation than this as here reported. No law proceedings are considered in the Privy Council, and neither indictments nor sentences are ever discussed there. The question of indictments lies solely with the Law Officers. The question of sentences lies wholly and solely with the Judge who tries the case. I may say that one of the Judges named specifically in the passage in question is not in the Privy Council at all.

MR. O'BRIEN

May I ask whether the Judges who were Members of the Privy Council might not be parties to advising prosecutions?

MR. TREVELYAN

Certainly not.