§ MR. FLYNNMay I ask the Chief Secretary if it will be convenient to take No. 4 of the Notices of Motion—a Return giving the names of the Resident Magistrates with the dates of their appointment by seniority, present salary, and other particulars, as an unopposed Return?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am unable at present to treat it as an unopposed Return. A very comprehensive Return is already before the House.
§ MR. SEXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of certain Magistrates it is alleged that the principle of seniority has been violated? This Return is, therefore, asked for to enable us to judge how far that principle has been violated.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not admit that the principle of seniority is at all binding.
§ MR. SEXTONI suppose the right hon. Gentleman will admit that promotion by seniority ought to be the principle except in the case of special merit. We ask for the Return, so that we may be enabled to see whether, where seniority was disregarded, there was good cause.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not go to the same extent as the right hon. Gentleman. I quite admit that seniority is an element; but I do not go further.
§ MR. FLYNNIs it not the fact that former Returns were given very much in this shape showing the seniority, and that it is only recently the rule has been changed?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware that Returns have been given in conformity to the description given by the hon. Gentleman.