HC Deb 31 March 1887 vol 313 c75
MR. HENRY H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will inform the House how many of the Resident Magistrates in Ireland were officers in the Army, Navy, or Constabulary before their appointment to the Magistracy; and, how many are Protestants?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

I notice that a Return on this subject is down on the Paper to-day in the name of the hon. Member for the Stephen's Green Division of Dublin (Mr. Gray). That Return gives the information asked for in the first paragraph of the Question. As regards the second paragraph, there is no official information as to the religious profession, of Resident Magistrates; and I do not think it will be for the public advantage to make personal inquiry into the matter.

MR. HENRY H. FOWLER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Return was recently laid on the Table giving the religious professions of magistrates other than Resident Magistrates?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware of that.

MR. HENRY H. FOWLER

If that is so, and if there is no objection to lay a Return with reference to the unpaid magistrates, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there should be any objection to give the same information in respect to the paid magistrates?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think it is quite possible that there may be objections; but I will re-consider the matter, and if the right hon. Gentleman will repeat the Question I will answer it later on.

MR. H. J. GILL (Limerick)

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the information is already in the possession of the Government in the Irish Census Returns?

[No reply.]