MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, at a County Court held last Saturday at Aberystwith, at the commencement of business, Judge Beresford allowed a solicitor, who constantly practises before him, to make a speech of some length, in which he protested against the removal of Judge Beresford from that Circuit on account of his ignorance of Welsh, testified to the admirable qualities of the Judge who was listening to him, and trusted that the Judge would make strong representations to the Lord Chancellor to prevent his removal; that, at the conclusion of the speech, another solicitor, also practising at the same Court, made a speech, in which he endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, and testified to the universal popularity of the presiding Judge; whether he is also aware that, afterwards, an English gentleman, named Gibson, totally ignorant of Welsh, rose and, alleging that he represented the public, made a speech in further protest against the removal of the Judge; and that, finally, the Judge himself made a speech in which he briefly thanked the speakers, and said that he would make the representations asked, and that he should be glad if the proposed change were not persisted in; and whether the Welsh gentlemen, representing the Welsh-speaking public, will be permitted to attend at subsequent Courts on Judge Beresford's Circuit to express their views as to the desirability of his removal?
MAJOR JONES, &c.) (CarmarthenshireBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask him if it is not a fact that at least 80 per cent. 1647 of the population in this Judge's Circuit is a Welsh-speaking population, and would it not be in the interest of justice that the Judge should be acquainted with the language?
§ MR. ASQUITHI believe the fact is as stated by my hon. Friend. As to the question on the Paper, I have written to Judge Beresford with reference to the statements contained in this question; but I have not at present received an answer. I would remind my hon. Friend that I have no control over, or authority to interfere with, the conduct of a County Court Judge, or to say what gentlemen should be allowed to address him while sitting as a Judge. Any complaint of the conduct of a Judge should be made to the Lord Chancellor, and when I receive an answer from Judge Beresford it will be my duty to lay it before the Lord Chancellor.
§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say what would have been the result had this taken place in Ireland?
§ [The question was not answered.]