§ CAPTAIN M'CALMONT (Antrim, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a correct report is given, in The Freeman's Journal of the 13th December last, of a speech made by Major George Johnston, J.P., at Glenties, in the county of Donegal, on the occasion of the Plan of Campaign being adopted in that neighbourhood; and, whether the speech in question has been brought under the notice of the Lord Chancellor?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The newspaper report of the speech in question was brought under the notice of the Lord Chancellor, who at once demanded an explanation. Major Johnston thereupon denied the language and action imputed to him, and the Lord Chancellor apprised him that he would closely observe his conduct in future. If any further reports should reach the Lord Chancellor he will at once investigate them.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Will the right hon. Baronet have any objection to bring under the notice of the Lord Chancellor any other magistrate in Ulster who within the last year delivered speeches in violation of the ordinary Criminal Law?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHAnything that happened would be brought under the notice of the Lord Chancellor at the time. This matter happened in December, and what the hon. Member refers to happened, I think, in June.