§ MR. W. E. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what action has been taken by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland in the case of Mr. Peter Fitzpatrick, J.P., County Monaghan?
§ MR. MICHAEL AUSTINwished, before the Chief Secretary for Ireland answered, to ask whether, in view of recent disclosures as to certain companies in Belfast, any steps would be taken in the case of directors who were on the Commission of the Peace?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That question does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JOHN MORLEY, New-castle-upon-Tyne)The Lord Chancellor has inquired into this matter. The gentleman referred to was appointed to the Commission of the Peace about 10 years ago. It appears that the charge made against him was investigated by a competent Bench of Magistrates, who, by a large majority, dismissed the charge, and the Lord Chancellor does not consider he would be justified in setting aside this decision. There was no irregularity in the attendance of the Magistrates on the occasion, and the four Justices appointed by the present Lord Chancellor were authorised at the time of their appointment to attend the Petty Sessions at which the case was investigated.