§ CAPTAIN DONELANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say how many resident magistrates are at present serving who have been promoted from the Royal Irish Constabulary, and how many of that number are Roman Catholics;and whether such appointments are made by seniority or by selection?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe number of resident magistrates now serving who have been promoted from the rank of district inspector in the Constabulary is 26, of whom four were Roman Catholics. Such appointments are made by selection; but seniority has always been one element, though, of course, not the only element in making the selection since the present Government has held office. I cannot speak for the practice of my predecessors.