§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked whether it has been the practice in Ireland to exclude from the list of revising barristers any person who has acted as a party agent or a Parliamentary candidate; whether that practice was departed from last year in the case of the revising barrister sent down to the constituency at present represented by the Solicitor-General for Ireland; and whether it is proposed to renew that appointment?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not aware of the existence of any such practice. The assignment to particular Divisions of a county does not rest with the Government, but with the county court judge.
§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGCould the right hon. Gentleman give us a single case within the last 20 years where a barrister who has been a Parliamentary candidate or a political agent has ever been appointed a revising barrister?
§ Mr. KILBRIDEIs it usual to exclude from office those lawyers who have been Parliamentary candidates?
§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the county court judge of the adjoining county of Donegal was appointed by a Unionist Government as county court judge after he had contested one of the Divisions of the county, and whether he has heard that not only lawyer candidates but also lawyer Members of Parliament sometimes look for jobs and get them?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis gentleman against whom these questions are aimed was, I understand, 20 years ago a candidate for some other seat in Tyrone. His ambition was not gratified. He never sat in this House, and I believe for 20 years he has never sought the honour of a seat in the House.
§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the practice, which I say exists in Ireland, without doubt exists in this country?
§ Mr. BIRRELLOh, dear me, no.