§ MR. MACLURE (Lancashire, S.E., Stretford)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is a fact that Mr. A. B. Stallman Bridgeman, a late clerk in the London Registry of the Probate Court, has been appointed by Sir James Hannen to the office of Registrar of the District Registry of the Probate Court at Manchester; whether there are solicitors in Manchester capable of filling the office competently, and more, if a solicitor were not to be appointed, whether there was already a fully competent official of 30 years' experience on the spot having the requisite statutory qualifications and the full confidence of the profession in and about the neighbourhood of Manchester; whether the Registrar of the Probate Court at Manchester has to assist the Registrar of the High Court; and, whether Mr. A. B. S, Bridgeman has the necessary qualifications therefor?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)Sir James Hannen has not appointed Mr. A. B. Stallman Bridgeman to the office of District Probate Registrar at Manchester; but he has appointed Mr. Bridgeman Simpson, a late clerk in the London Probate Registry. The appointment was made because Sir James Hannen considered Mr. Bridgeman Simpson the fittest man he could select, having regard to Mr. Simpson's long experience in the London Office. It was considered that this experience would enable him better to discharge 794 the duties than a solicitor or the chief clerk in the District Registry. If Mr. Simpson should have to assist the Registrar of the High Court Sir James Hannen has no doubt that he will be found to have the necessary qualifications.