§ Sir HARRY VERNEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the circumsances under which the appointment was made of the High Sheriff of the county of Cavan for the current year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe present High Sheriff of the county of Cavan was appointed in the usual way. The Judges going the Summer Assizes in Ireland in each year return a list of gentlemen eligible to serve the office of High Sheriff for the several counties in Ireland. The name of Frederick Paul Smith, Esq., D.L., was returned by the Judges first on the list of gentlemen eligible to serve the office for the county of Cavan, and Mr. Smith having expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of the office, he was accordingly appointed.
§ Mr. MOOREDoes the right hon. Gentleman suggest that this name was returned in any list in the year 1910?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes; the suggestion I make is that it was returned at the head of the list of names, on the occasion when it became necessary to make the appointment, and his appointment is perfectly legal.
§ Mr. MOOREIs it not a question for the High Sheriff for the year, who has the sole power of returning the three names, and I ask the right hon. Gentleman distinctly to say if this gentleman's name was on the list of high sheriffs in 1910?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am told that the judges, going the summer assizes, in each year return a list, and this name was at the top.
§ Mr. MOOREWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether Mr. Smith's name was on the list returned in 1910, because the answer given carefully omits that vital fact?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI dispute that it is a vital fact, or that it has been carefully omitted. However, I will inquire.