§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that, at a Petty Sessions held at Moville, in the county of Donegal, on Tuesday the 7th day of October 1884, a case was tried, a game prosecution, at the suit of Mrs. Haslett, of Portsmouth, England, against James Kelly, junior, and others; that, during the trial, Mr. J. G. Harney, land agent, and Mr. Crawford McKay, of Derry, solicitor, both representing complainant, occupied places in Court beside the magistrate, Colonel Lyle, J.P., and Rudoulphus Harney, P.M. and the other justices present on the day in question; is it a fact that when the evidence closed, and the magistrates retired with closed doors to consult as to the decision to be awarded in the case, the above-named agent and solicitor were allowed to remain closeted with the said magistrates during their deliberations, whilst the defendants had to remain outside; and, if true, as stated, what action will the Chancellor take?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe accommodation in Moville Court House—consisting of only two small rooms—is so bad that it is the practice to allow professional men and others to remain at the back of the Bench. This was permitted on the day in question, the Court being inconveniently crowded. If a solicitor for the defence had been employed, he would have had the same facilities as the solicitor on the other side. The magistrates did not retire with closed doors. A screen is drawn across the Bench during their deliberations, and that was done in the present instance for a few minutes. The agent and solicitor were not closeted with the magistrates. It would be very desirable to have such accommodation, provided that no appearance could exist of magistrates and professional men being accommodated together.