HC Deb 26 July 1888 vol 329 cc536-7
MR. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in the Killybegs Petty Sessions District of the County of Donegal, there is not one Catholic magistrate, although more than 90 per cent of the population of the district are Roman Catholics; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to remedy this grievance?

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

I have no knowledge of the religious denominations of the magistrates in the Petty Sessions district mentioned. But as has already been explained in reply to previous Questions on the subject of the religion of magistrates, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland is always anxious to consider the names of duly qualified Roman Catholics when properly submitted to him for appointment to the Commission of the Peace.

MR. MAC NEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman deny that the statement contained in my Question is true—that not one of the magistrates upon the Bench at Killybegs is a Catholic? Will he inquire whether that statement is true?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I will consider the matter. Of course, it is no business of mine. I will consider whether I will make any inquiry.

MR. MAC NEILL

Are not magistrates appointed by the Lord Chancellor on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of the County? Can the Lord Chancellor appoint on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of the County?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am afraid I cannot answer the Question in detail. The account the hon. Member has given is sufficient to prove my statement, and I have nothing to add to it.