§ 7. Mr. GRAHAMasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state for what reasons and on whose recommendation the Quarter Sessions were discontinued at Philipstown, King's County; whether he is aware that the local public bodies and the public generally were not consulted and that two petitions were presented to the Lord Lieutenant protesting against the discontinuance of the Quarter Sessions there, and pointing out the want of railway accommodation in this portion of the county and the inconvenience to the public who, in many cases, are now obliged to travel over 20 miles to recover small debts, etc., and frequently remain over-night from their homes; whether he is aware that a deputation waited upon the Under-Secretary and pointed out these facts; whether the Under-Secretary promised to bring the matter before the next meeting of the Privy Council; whether this has been done, and, if so, will he state the result?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The discontinuance of Quarter Sessions at Philipstown and the merger of that division with the Tullamore Division was directed by Order in Council after careful inquiry and consideration of the recommendations of the County Court judge for King's County, who referred especially to the diminution in local business transacted at the Sessions, the difficulty of access to the town, and the superior convenience of Tullamore 416 from the point of view of litigants from many parts of the Philipstown Division. The two petitions referred to are receiving the careful consideration of the Lord Lieutenant's advisers, and, as was stated by the Under-Secretary in reply to a deputation, the matter will again be brought before the Privy Council when the necessary inquiries have been completed.