HC Deb 10 November 1884 vol 293 cc1373-5
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, At whose instance or suggestion the Lords Justices of Ireland gave notice that the question of the discontinuance of the Drimoleague (County Cork) Petty Sessional Division would be dealt with by the Justices assembled at the last Quarter Sessions at Skibbereen; whether a solicitor appeared before the said Justices, instructed by ratepayers, residents, and persons otherwise interested in the Drimoleague Division, to oppose its discontinuance, and submitted a Memorial from the said ratepayers and others assigning as reasons for the maintenance of the division, amongst others, that the district is large and populous, that the change would impose heavier costs on litigants, and that the existing difficulty in regularly holding the Drimoleague Sessions might be obviated by the appointment of eligible residents to the Commission of the Peace; and, whether the Irish Executive and the Lord Chancellor of Ireland will consider the expediency of continuing the Drimoleague Division, and of appointing local justices to transact its business?

COLONEL COLTHURST

wished, before the Question was answered, to ask whether there was not a strong feeling among the ratepayers of the district against the discontinuance of these Petty Sessions; and, whether a Memorial had not been forwarded to the authorities on the subject?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The attention of the Government having been drawn to the small amount of business transacted at the Drimoleague Petty Sessions, and the frequent non-holding of Sessions, inquiries were made with the object of ascertaining the views of the magistrates and others in the district as to whether it was necessary to continue the Sessions. The large preponderance of the opinion elicited was in favour of the abolition of the Sessions. It was not until after this that the Government took the steps pointed out by Section 1 of the Petty Sessions Act, in order to have the matter considered at the Quarter Sessions. I believe that a Memorial such as is referred to in the second paragraph of the Question was presented, and I have no doubt that the Justices considered the representations contained in it. No formal Report of the result of the Justices' deliberations has yet been received. The decision rests with them, and not with the Executive. In answer to my hon. and gallant Friend behind me, who speaks of a Memorial subsequently presented to the Lord Lieutenant, I may say that I am afraid that would have little effect, seeing the determination previously arrived at on the subject.

COLONEL COLTHURST

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would make inquiries, before the Petty Sessions were abolished, in order to see whether the strong feelings of the ratepayers against the discontinuance of the Petty Sessions could not be satisfied?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

replied that, under the section of the Petty Sessions Act, the final decision rested with the Quarter Sessions.