§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mr. W. J. Johnston, barrister-at-law, acted as revising barrister for West Belfast at the last revision sessions, and is a member of the United Irish League; that since the last revision he personally canvassed the electors of Derry City for the Nationalist candidate at the election in January; and whether he will take steps to ensure that a person who has openly identified himself with one political party by acting as a canvasser shall not again be appointed to act as revising barrister in constituencies where the majority on one side or the other is small and party feeling runs high?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMr. Johnston acted as revising barrister in West Belfast. I cannot say whether he is a member of the United Irish League or not. I understand that he, like many other revising barristers, did take part in the last General Election. The exclusion from revising barristerships of all members of the Bar who have identified themselves with a political party would make it all but impossible to find a sufficient number 1465W of candidates eligible for these posts, and it is not proposed to take any steps in the matter.