HC Deb 15 March 1905 vol 143 cc40-1
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Marquess of Londonderry, as lord-lieutenant of the county of Down, has recommended the appointment, as deputy-lieutenant of the county, of Colonel Wallace, the Grand Master of the Orange Lodges of Belfast; and whether it is intended to accept the nomination.

MR. ATKINSON

The appointment of persons to fill the office of deputy- lieutenant of counties is vested by the 30th Section of the Militia Act, 1882, in His Majesty's lieutenants of counties, subject to the approval of the Lord-Lieutenant. In the present, instance the Marquess of Londonderry appointed Colonel Wallace as deputy-lieutenant of the county Down, and the Lord-Lieutenant signified his approval of the appointment. I am not aware that Colonel Wallace is a Grand Master of the Orange Society, but in any case his connection with that society is not a statutory disqualification for the appointment.

MR. MACVEAGH

Is it not the fact that Lord Londonderry has refused to appoint one Catholic magistrate for the whole of county Down?

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Is not this noble Lord the Minister for Education, and is he not supposed to hold the scales equally for all parties?

[No Answer was returned.]