HC Deb 21 February 1887 vol 311 c165
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to the following incident at the Connaught Winter Assizes held at Sligo, as reported in The Freeman's Journal, 21st December, 1886:— J. Cochrane Davys, Clerk of the Crown and Peace, was then sworn, and, in reply to Mr. Leamy, stated that he was appointed to the office previous to the Spring Assizes of 1886. For some years previous he had been Assistant Clerk of the Crown. Did you mark the panel of the Spring Assizes, 1886?—Yes. Did you send that marked panel to the Sub-Sheriff?—No. Why?—Because I did not think it my duty to do so. Have you read the Jurors' Acts. Surely you, a solicitor, must have read these Acts?—I declare to you I have never read them in my life. And, whether he will take steps to insure that Crown Officials in Ireland make themselves acquainted with Acts of Parliament relating to their duties?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)

I am informed by Mr. Davys that the report referred to in the Question is substantially correct. There is no doubt that the Clerk of the Crown and Peace ought to have made himself acquainted with the Acts of Parliament relating to jurors, and I intend to communicate further with him on the subject.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last Question I have put?

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

I have answered it.