HC Deb 07 July 1884 vol 290 cc199-200
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is it true that in the whole Bawnboy Union, which comprises the Petty Sessions Districts of Ballmamore, Ballyconnell, Bawnboy, and Swanlinbar, there is not one Roman Catholic magistrate; did the Board of Guardians of the Bawnboy Union, some two months since, recommend five gentlemen to the Lord Chancellor as fit and proper persons for the Commission of the Peace; and, what steps, if any, have been taken by the Lord Chancellor towards appointing these or other Roman Catholics in the Bawnboy Union?

MR. TREVELYAN

There are no Roman Catholic magistrates in the Union mentioned in the Question. The Lord Chancellor informs me that he received a communication, as stated, from the Guardians of the Union, and immediately informed them, in reply, that until they had received replies from the Lord Lieutenant of the County he could not take any action in the matter. The Lord Chancellor has not since heard from the Guardians on the subject.

MR. HARRINGTON

was understood to ask what action the Lord Chancellor would take in case the Lord Lieutenant of the County did not appoint these gentlemen?

MR. TREVELYAN

replied, that he should think the first action the Lord Chancellor would take would be to ask why he had not done so.