HC Deb 20 June 1884 vol 289 cc992-3
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether arrangements have been made for the election of a successor to fill up the vacancy in the office of coroner, which took place in county Leitrim on 6th May last; and, if not, will he have the necessary steps taken without further delay?

MR. TREVELYAN

I understand that no arrangements have yet been made to fill up the vacancy. The law does not empower me to take any steps in the matter. The course prescribed by the Statute is, that any two Justices may deliver to the clerk of the peace a certificate of the vacancy, and the Lord Chancellor, on receiving the certificate, is to issue a writ for the election of a now Coroner. The Lord Chancellor is prepared to issue such writ on the proper preliminaries being complied with.

MR. BIGGAR

But if two local magistrates do not think fit to sign a notice, can there be no election?

MR. TREVELYAN

There has been some such difficulty on former occasions, and official pressure had to be brought to bear. I will look into the question.