HC Deb 21 February 1901 vol 89 cc707-8
MR. O' DOHERTY

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether, seeing that Irish solicitors are eligible as candidates for the position of First Division clerks, Estate and Legacy, Succession Duty Office, and that a number of the selected candidates are engaged in the Estate Duty Office, Custom House, Dublin, he will explain why Irish solicitors who are candidates are examined exclusively in English law, part of which, such as the law relating to searches and registration of title, does not apply to Ireland; and whether immediate steps will be taken to remedy this state of things by examining Irish candidates on the course prescribed by the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland at the final examination for solicitors.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

The greater number of Irish solicitors who are successful in the examinations for First Division clerkships in the Estate Duty Office are appointed to London. Only four Irish solicitors are at present engaged at the Dublin office, and none have been appointed to that office since 1897. It is true that the examination for English and Irish solicitors is exclusively in English law; but for purposes of Estate Duty, English and Irish law are substantially the same, and in this connection the difference in the law relating to searches and registration of titles is of little or no importance.

MR. O'DOHERTY

Is it not the case that Irish tenant farmers pay thousands of pounds in these duties?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order ! I must remind the hon. Gentleman that he is not entitled to argue.