§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is it intended that the Resident Magistrates who will exercise jurisdiction under the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill shall be irremovable except on an Address from both Houses; if not, will any guarantees be taken to render them independent of the Executive for the time being; what salary will they receive; will they be confined in the exercise of their powers to one district, or will they be transferable from one place to another at the pleasure of the Government; and, are Resident Magistrates at present appointed for a definite period, or how?
§ THE CHIEF SECTRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Government propose to follow the precedent set by the Crimes Act of the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Sir William Harcourt. There will be no alteration in status of the Resident Magistrates. The conditions of the appointment and salaries of these officers are fixed by Statute.
MR. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)wished to have an answer to the Question, if the Resident Magistrates were at present appointed for a definite period, or how?
MR. A. J. BALEOUEsaid, he had stated that the conditions on which they held office were prescribed by Statute. He believed, as a matter of fact, that the Statute laid down that they should be appointed by order of the Lord Lieutenant.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked whether the Statute did not lay down that a definite number should be appointed; and, whether that number had not been exceeded?
§ [No reply.]