§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether, in view of the inability of the Local Government Board to take any action in connection with the resolution denouncing an individual unanimously adopted by the Board of Guardians of the Newcastle West Union, at their meeting on the 31st of May, and inserted on the minutes of the Board, it is to be understood that Boards of Guardians in Ireland are at liberty to denounce and hold up to public odium any individuals against whom they may have a grudge, to insert the resolution denouncing such individuals on their minutes, and to publish the same in the local Press, provided only that such resolution be placed at the end of the agenda paper; (2) whether the Local Government Board has power to intervene in such a case for the protection of the victims; and (3) whether, if Justices of the Peace take part in such a vote, the Lord Chancellor will allow such Justices to remain on the Commission of the Peace?
MR. J. MORLEY(1) The Local Government Board have no power to prevent Boards of Guardians in Ireland from passing any resolutions they may see fit and inserting them on their minutes of proceedings, provided that they duly discharge the various duties imposed on them by law in connection with the administration of the affairs of the Union. (2) The Board cannot, therefore, intervene in the present case, as they are not aware that there has been default on the part of this Board of Guardians. (3) The Lord Chancellor will consider the action of any Magistrate taking part in such a vote whenever it arises. A Magistrate was present on the occasion of the adoption of the resolution in question by the Newcastle Guardians. He is agent to the Devon Estate, and did not vote for the resolution.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the resolutions in themselves are legal or illegal?