HC Deb 16 March 1888 vol 323 cc1426-7
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. Cecil Roche, a temporary R.M., dismissable on three months' notice, has recently been promoted to the permanent staff over the heads of his seniors; and, whether the names of Resident Magistrates have been this year for the first time published alphabetically, instead of in order of seniority, as was the practice for 50 years; and, if so, for what object was the change made?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied) said: Mr. Roche has recently been made a permanent Resident Magistrate on the occurrence of a vacancy, which was the intention when he was originally appointed, as his previous training seemed to fully qualify him for the appointment, he having been a barrister of some years standing, and also a legal Sub-Commissioner. It is the case that some of the temporary Resident Magistrates had been originally appointed as such a short time before him. The names of Resident Magistrates have not been this year for the first time published alphabetically; such a list has always been published. The seniority list is one which is used for Departmental purposes.

MR. DILLON

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman state at what date Mr. Roche was appointed, and for what reason he was appointed over the heads of seniors; and, also, whether it is true that the seniority list which used to be published in the Directory has now been superseded, and replaced by an alphabetical list?

COLONEL KING - HARMAN

the hon. Member did not ask in his original Question when Mr. Roche was appointed. He asked whether he was recently made a permanent Resident Magistrate. As to the question of the seniority list, it has always, I believe, been kept for Departmental purposes.

MR. DILLON

I beg to give Notice that I shall put a further Question on the Paper in reference to this matter.