HC Deb 11 February 1895 vol 30 cc441-2
MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick's)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution adopted at the annual meeting of members of the Dublin Mercantile Association (Limited), held on the 30th ultimo, in which they express their opinion that the Order of the Privy Council, increasing the sittings of the Recorder's Court from four to six times per annum, is totally insufficient; and protest against the long interval between the Courts, during which there are no facilities to recover money by legal measures, and the time that is requisite to overtake the accumulated business in Court and also by the Sheriff; and request that the matter should be reconsidered by the Privy Council, with a view to a further increase of the sittings; whether he will state what reasons the Privy Council have not for assimilating the sittings to those of similar Courts in England and Scotland; and whether the subject has been under the consideration of that Body for the past two years?

SIR A. K. ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask him whether he is aware that this is not only an Irish but is also an English grievance, and that the Chamber of Commerce have passed a resolution in favour of the views suggested by the question?

MR. J. MORLEY

No; I was not aware of it, Sir, my mind being so fully occupied with Irish grievances. I have seen the resolution in question. After considerable correspondence with the Recorder of Dublin, it was arranged that two additional sittings should be given by him in the year. This, he states, will make his sittings almost continuous, and puts Dublin on the same footing with the cities of Belfast and Cork. I am advised that it would be reasonable to wait till the experiment of these two additional sittings has been tried before imposing additional sittings on the Recorder, who states his inability to meet an increased demand on his time?

MR. FIELD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Newcastle-on-Tyne the County Court Judge sits six times a month?

MR. J. MORLEY

I am not aware, but I should be sorry there should be any partiality to the disadvantage of Dublin.