HC Deb 14 May 1903 vol 122 c698
MR. MANSFIELD

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the fact that all the prisoners under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act have been liberated, will he consider the advisability of restoring their commission to those Justices of the Peace who, through imprisonment under the Act, have been deprived of their seats on the magistrates' bench.

MR. ATKINSON

The disqualification is statutory in Ireland, as it is in England. The Executive have no power in the matter. I refer the hon. Member to my right hon friend's reply to a similar Question addressed to him on the 31st March by the hon. Member for North Longford on the question of legislation necessary on the subject.†

MR. DELANY (Queen's Co., Ossory)

Cannot the Government take steps to remove the disqualifications from county and district councillors?

MR. ATKINSON

It can only be done by legislation.† See (4) Debates, cxx., 690.