§ MR. PATRICK M'HUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of stipendiary magistrates now employed in Ireland; what was the cost of the last financial year; and, are the appointments of those, magistrates permanent; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of abolishing the office of stipendiary magistrates in 675 Ireland, or, at least, of substantially reducing the expenditure on that class of public servants?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe number of resident magistrates now employed in Ireland is (59, and the total expenditure on this service in the financial year ended March 31, 1896, amounted to £47,466. This sum was inclusive of salaries, allowances, and travelling expenses. These magistrates are permanent Civil servants.