§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many deputy lieutenants can be appointed for the county of Down; whether he can explain why all the thirty-four deputy lieutenants at present holding appointments in that county are Unionists, although nearly half the population are either Nationalists or Liberals; and whether the Crown can withhold its sanction from such appointments.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)I dissent from the statement in the Question regarding the population.
MR. BRYCEThe number of deputy lieutenants for the county of Down as at present fixed is thirty-four. There is no official record of the political views of gentlemen who hold the office. Appointments to the deputy lieutenancy in Ireland are subject to the approval of the Lord-Lieutenant, who can withhold his sanction.
§ MR. MACVEAGHI know the political views of them all well.