§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Mr. HENRYI beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."
762 At present the Under-Sheriff is appointed by the High Sheriff for the period of his term of office, which is one year. Although in practice the Under-Sheriff, who is a man of experience, is usually kept on by the High Sheriff, it is entirely at the latter's option. In this Bill, which is based on the findings of a Viceregal Commission, presided over by the Recorder of Dublin, we propose that the Lord Lieutenant shall appoint the Under-Sheriff, and that he shall be a permanent official. We also propose that, instead of certain fees and allowances that are now paid by the Treasury, the Under-Sheriff shall be paid half by the local authority and half by the Treasury. All the Members for Ireland are agreeable to the proposal, and the cost is small. At present the Under-Sheriffs receive in fees more in some cases, than it is proposed to pay under this Bill. The Under-Sheriff is a responsible official, discharging important duties, and it is only reasonable that he should have some security of tenure, in order that men of experience and position may be obtained.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThis Bill is rather more serious than the one we have just passed, because I understand it puts some small charge on the Treasury. We shall have to pay something. At first I thought it would effect a saving to the Treasury, but from what the right hon. Gentleman said I think it will be a very small increase. I consider this will be quite useless to three-fourths of Ireland. If the Bill at present before the House was seriously meant, or if it had any chance of success—I am sorry to say I am afraid it has not—this would be a very right subject for the legislative body proposed to be set up in Ireland to deal with. I think it might very well be left to them; but as I believe that Bill will not be applied for reasons which have been given again and again, quite honest reasons, from each side of the House, I consider that this is a sheer waste of time. The courts functioning in Ireland do not acknowledge allegiance to His Majesty. This is a very tragic state of affairs, but we must recognise things as they are. It is only a waste of the time of the House.