HC Deb 11 March 1897 vol 47 cc502-3
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has any objection to give a Return of the names and dates of appointment of persons, if any, who have been appointed County Court Judges in Ireland during the past fifty years, for counties or boroughs in which they had previously been Parliamentary candidates?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I cannot see what useful purpose would be served by such a Return, and I am unable, therefore, to agree to it.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Quarter Sessions must open in County Down about the end of the present month; whether an appointment of a County Court Judge in place of Judge Roche has yet been made, or has a locum tenens been appointed for the coming Sessions; and whether he has any objection to give the name of the person appointed?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The next Quarter Sessions for the County Down will open on the 31st instant, and it is probable a successor to Judge Roche will be appointed before that date. Until the appointment has been completed it would, as I have already stated, be irregular to announce the intention of Government.