HC Deb 08 July 1887 vol 317 cc221-2
MR. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury Has the Right Hon. John Thomas Ball, with Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar and the Right Hon. the Vice Chancellor of Ireland, been appointed one of the Lords Justices of Ireland, who discharge the Executive duties of the Lord Lieutenant during his absence from Ireland; did the Writ for holding the election to return a Member of Parliament for Dublin University, in place of the late Attorney General for Ireland, issue under the authority of the Lords Justices as General Governors of Ireland; is he aware that the Right Hon. John Thomas Ball, at the nomination of candidates for the University Election, on Wednesday, 7th July, while filling the post of Lord Justice, seconded the nomination of Mr. Serjeant Madden; and, is it usual for one of the Lords Justices to take an active part in a contested election?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I have to answer the first paragraph in the affirmative. The Writ for holding the election referred to issued in the usual way from the Hanaper Office, in obedience to the warrant of the Speaker of the House of Commons, and not under the authority of the Lords Justices. The Right Hon. Dr. Ball, in relation to the University Election, acted in his individual capacity. He had been a member of Mr. Madden's Committee for several months; and he did not consider that the holding of this office at the moment of the election formed an objection to his seconding the nomination of Mr. Madden.

MR. MAC NEILL

Do the Lords Justices represent the Crown in Ireland?

MR. W. H. SMITH

In the absence of the Lord Lieutenant.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to say that the right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last paragraph of the Question, which asks— Is it usual for one of the Lords Justices to take an active part in a contested election? The right hon. Gentleman told us that, in the opinion of the Right Hon. John Ball, he was entitled to do so; but we do not want Mr. Ball's opinion; we want his—

MR. W. H. SMITH

As the hon. Member is very well aware, I am not personally responsible for the particular Department of the Government of Ireland. But, according to my own opinion, it is not usual for the Lords Justices to take part in the contested elections. I am only speaking from my own observation.

MR. MAC NEILL

Would the right hon. Gentleman kindly tell us whether the action of Dr. Bail was protested against at the election?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I have given the hon. Member all the information in my power.