§ MR. O'SHEE (Waterford, W.)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General when a bench of magistrates in England happens to be evenly divided in opinion as to whether a case should be returned for trial or not, if he can state what action is usually taken; and if the case is brought up for consideration at a future session.
SIR ROBERT FLNLAYI have made inquiries, but have been unable to hear of any English case in which there has been an equal division of opinion as to committal for trial. I am therefore unable to make any statement as to any usual practice in such an event, but think it very probable that if there should be a final difference of opinion, the case might be brought up for consideration on a future occasion.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)Can the hon. Member say why the views of paid magistrates should carry more weight than those of unpaid magistrates?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!