§ MR. J. MACVEAGHTo ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether steps can now be taken to fill future vacancies in King's Bench Division clerkships by open competition; and whether those at present exercising the patronage have any objections to such an arrangement.
(Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Lord Chancellor informs me that all appointments to junior clerkships in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in Ireland are made by open competition, except in cases in which 582 existing rights of patronage have been preserved by statute to certain judges. The Lord Chancellor has consulted the two judges who still possess these statutory rights, and they have informed him that they do not consider it expedient, and will not consent, to make the change suggested in the Question.