§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, with reference to the establishment of a District Registry for the issue of writs of summons in Belfast, whether the conference of the Judges, as promised before the Recess, has yet been held on the subject; and whether he is aware that the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, and all other mercantile bodies in Belfast, desire the immediate establishment of such a registry there?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin UniversityI am informed by the Lord Chancellor that he has conferred with the Judges on this subject, and so far as they are aware there is no practical inconvenience under the present system. He has not received any communication from any body in Belfast, either mercantile or legal. Of course, if the Lord Chancellor does receive such a communication he will give it his careful consideration, and it may be necessary afterwards to communicate with the Treasury on the matter.
§ MR. SEXTONHas not the Lord Chancellor received a communication from the Belfast Chamber of Commerce on the subject?
§ MR. MADDENSo far as I am aware, the Lord Chancellor has not received such a communication. If he did, it would of course be a communication of great importance, and would receive his very careful attention.
§ MR. MCCARTAN (Down, S.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that copies of the resolution passed by the Chamber of Commerce were sent to hon. Members of this House; is it not a fact that in England there are eighty district registries; and does the right hon. Gentleman know there is great inconvenience in Belfast owing to the absence of a registry, as at present it takes three days after the issue of a summons before service can be obtained?
§ MR. MADDENThe Lord Chancellor did not express any opinion on the merits of the question, but he is giving the matter his careful consideration. I may point out that the Lord Chancellor is not a Member of the House.
§ MR. MACNEILLHe was a Member.