§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Chief Secretary whether any progress has yet been made with regard to setting up advisory committees in Ireland; and will he try the experiment in Cavan county without delay, in view of the dissatisfaction which the nature of the recent appointments made by the present lieutenant has caused?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have nothing to add to, my reply to the hon. Member's question on this subject on the 1st May.
§ Mr. KENNEDYSeeing the urgency of the matter will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the advisability of at once setting up these advisory committees?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo; I really do not think I have had enough evidence before me to satisfy me that there is any necessity for setting up advisory committees in Ireland. I should like to wait and see how they work in the adjacent land. I have nothing whatever to do with the appointment of magistrates. This rests with the lieutenants of the county and with the Lord Chancellor. I am always ready to communicate with the Lord Chancellor upon the subject. I have repeatedly done so, and found him most anxious and ready to do what he can to add proper persons try the Commission of the Peace.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLThe right hon. Gentleman has said the lieutenants of the county have a voice in the appointment of magistrates. Is he not well aware that no lieutenant of any county has any real voice in it? Why are their recommendations 1203 always obtained, and why are the representations of the people slighted in this matter as they have been?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Gentleman takes a strong view on the subject, and I do not quite agree with him.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLA much stronger view than I have yet expressed.