HC Deb 04 June 1886 vol 306 c1008
MR. A. BLANE (Armagh, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Captain John Harrison, J.P., of Hollywood House, county Down, has made an arrangement with his creditors through the Bankruptcy Court recently; whether Mr. George Walker, J.P., of Castle Gardens, Newtownards, county Down, arranged through the Bankruptcy Court with his creditors for 15s., payable in six instalments of 2s. 6d. each over eighteen months; and, if true, whether it is intended to continue the above-named gentlemen in the Commission of the Peace?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

The law is that bankruptcy or composition with creditors is a disqualification for the Commission of the Peace, and ipso facto suspends the Commission. It is the practice of the Lord Chancellor to point this out to any magistrate whose case comes under his cognizance, and this has been done in the case of Captain Harrison. As regards Mr. Walker, the hon. Member appears to have been misinformed.