HC Deb 24 July 1888 vol 329 cc317-9
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What are the names of the seven Resident Magistrates whose salaries appear in the Estimates with the words "temporary appointments" opposite; what was the date of each such appointment, and when does it expire; and who is the magistrate receiving £125 per annum as a personal allowance?

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

Eight temporary Resident Magistrates are provided for in the Estimates for 1888–9. Their names and dates of appointments are as follows:—J. F. Lynch, December 16, 1885; Hon. H. De V. Pery, February 5, 1886; John Preston, October 1, 1886; O'Neal Segrave, October 15, 1886; M. S. Tynte, August 22, 1887; F. G. Hodder, August 29, 1887; H. Caddell, January 17, 1888; W. H. Joyce, January 20, 1888. Each of these gentlemen is entitled to hold office so long as the requirements of the Public Service call for his employment. Mr. Thomas Hamilton is the Resident Magistrate who is in receipt of the personal allowance of £125. He receives this under a former arrangement made by the Treasury with him, whereby he consented to give up his appointment as a Resident Magistrate in order to become the head of a new Department dealing with matters relating to crime, on the understanding that if this appointment should be subsequently abolished he should be provided with other employment at the same rate of salary attached to the new office—namely, £800 a-year. The office was subsequently abolished, and Mr. Hamilton was re-appointed to the Resident Magistracy, with the stipulated salary of £800.

MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)

asked, under what Act of Parliament the arrangement with Mr. Hamilton was made?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It was not made under an Act of Parliament, but under a Treasury arrangement.

MR. CHANCE

wanted to know by what authority it was made?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I presume that the arrangement was sanctioned by the Appropriation Act; but I am not responsible for it. It was made in the time of Earl Spencer and Earl Cowper.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

said, he understood that the right hon. Gentleman had promised, when this question was raised some time ago, that a Bill would be brought in to regularize this arrangement, which was illegal.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, he thought the hon. and learned Gentleman was alluding to the case of the Divisional Magistrates, and he believed there was a Bill of the kind indicated to be brought in; but that would not apply at all to this case.