Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary if he has caused any inquiry to be made as to the inclusion of unauthorised fees of the judges' criers in the county courts of Meath, Westmeath, Carlow, and Wicklow, in bills of costs taxed by the clerks of the Crown in cases under the Labourers Act, applications for compensation for criminal injuries, and other proceedings; and, if not, will he do so and direct the attention of the county court judges to the matter, with the view of putting an end to a practice much objected to by solicitors practising in those courts?
§ Mr. CHERRYI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the question on the same subject asked by him on 25th October last. The Government has no control over the amount of the costs allowed by the county court judges, and cannot undertake to instruct them on the matter. If there is any objection to the existing practice it should be made to the judges themselves.
Captain CRAIGIs it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to introduce legislation doing away with these absurd charges in these small cases that arise from time to time?
§ Mr. CHERRYI think that it would be rather too much to introduce a Bill about small items in bills of costs. If items are illegally allowed, there is always a remedy in law as regards the taxation of costs.
§ Mr. CHERRYI do not express any opinion on the charges. I know nothing about them. They are miscellaneous items in bills of costs, and I am not able to give an opinion upon them.