§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Is it true, notwithstanding the understanding that the appeal of the hon. Member for Clare (Mr. Cox) from a sentence of three months' imprisonment by the Resident Magistrate for a speech last October, would be tried before the Clare County Court Judge in the statutory way, Mr. William Hickson, Q.C., a member of the Constitutional Club, and a constant attendant at its meetings, has been specially appointed by the Viecroy, and, though only holding the appointment temporarily and at pleasure, will have the decision in this case; and, can an assurance be given that, if any legal vacancy in the gift of the present Executive occurs, no application from this temporary Judge will be entertained?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN) (Dublin University)If the hon. Member will refer to the answer given to his former Question on the 12th of March, and reported in Hansard, he will see that there is absolutely nothing to suggest any such understanding as the hon. Member now assumes to exist. Mr. Hickson 1194 has been appointed as deputy, not by the Viceroy, but by the Lord Chancellor, in pursuance of the statute under which he is bound to make provision for the discharge of the duties of a County Court Judge who is temporarily disabled from performing them. In answer to the second paragraph of the Question, I have to say that no such assurance can be given as that which the hon. Member desires.
§ MR. DILLONThen are we to understand that this gentleman will get, as a bribe or reward for the sentence he will inflict on my hon. Friend, an appointment immediately after the sentence?
§ [No reply.]