§ MR. H. J. WILSON (York, W. R., Holmfirth)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that one of the magistrates who was hearing the case against the hon. Member for North-East Cork (Mr. W. O'Brien) at Loughrea, on Thursday the 19th April, had been at Dublin Castle on Wednesday the 18th April; and what was the object of the visit?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.) ,I have no knowledge respecting the alleged fact, nor is it a subject into which I should think of making inquiries. The obvious insinuation is that the magistrate had been in communication with the Executive respecting questions that were to come before him in his judicial capacity. Of this insinuation I will only say that it is of a piece with the attacks which, from time to time, Members of this House have not thought it beneath them to make on an able, upright, and public spirited body of gentlemen engaged in most arduous and responsible duties.