HC Deb 20 February 1900 vol 79 cc587-8
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, as representing the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he tan explain the reason why the Government have decided to omit from the new commissions issued for the holding of the various courts of assize and commissions of oyer and terminer in Dublin and other cities and corporate towns of Ireland the names of the lord mayor or mayors of such places.

The following questions also appeared on the Paper on the same subject:—

CAPTAIN DONELAN

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a letter has been recently addressed to the Town Clerk, Dublin, from the Chief Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, stating that the new commissions issued to Her Majesty's Judges for the holding of the various courts of assize and commissions in Ireland do not include the names of lord mayors or mayors; and why the usual custom has been departed from on the present occasion.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland why the new Commissions to Her Majesty's Judges in Ireland for the holding of courts and assizes and commissions do not include the names of the lord mayors and mayors; and whether this omission will be rectified in view of the feeling upon the subject in Dublin and elsewhere.

MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. G. Y. BAL FOUR)

The lord mayor and mayors are the chairmen of borough councils, and, having regard to the fact that controversy has arisen as to the control and maintenance of court houses, and that these and other questions connected with local government may come up for consideration and decision before the Commissioners of Assize, it was thought desirable, in the interests of the administration of justice, to omit from the commissions, the names of gentlemen who might have a direct official or personal interest in matters for decision. The change made has no other significance whatever.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Is it not true that the difficulties to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred have not existed in the city of Dublin? Could not an exception easily be made in the case of the Lord Mayor of that city?

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Is it not also the fact that the position of the Mayor of Kilkenny was exactly similar before the passing of the Local Government Act?

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the course adopted casts a slight upon popularly elected chief magistrates, and that—

MR SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Is it intended that this exclusion shall be permanent, or is it only in connection with circumstances which exist at the present moment?

MR. ATKINSON

It will last as long as these provisions of the Local Government Act are in force.