§ MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain the circumstances under which an order received from Dublin Castle by the Belfast Corporation, directing the latter to appoint six members to serve on the visiting committee of the Belfast Prison, was countermanded after the Corporation had gone to the trouble of selecting the gentlemen for the office and whether any further communication has been made to the Corporation in connection with the matter.
§ MR. CHERRYThe Grand Jury of the County Borough of Belfast appoint annually six Justices to serve as members of the visiting committee of Belfast Prison. On 22nd June, the Belfast Corporation were, through an oversight, requested to make these appointments. The mistake was corrected by a letter addressed to the Town Clerk on 2nd July, but it appears that the Corporation had made the selections on that day. I am asked to express regret for any inconvenience which may have been caused to the Corporation.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say who was responsible for this oversight?
§ MR. CHERRYOne of the subordinate officials at Dublin Castle. I am sure the hon. Member will not press for his name to be given.