HC Deb 08 March 1912 vol 35 cc779-80W
Mr. AUGUSTINE ROCHE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the action of a Mr. O'Connell, recently appointed Clerk of the Crown and Peace for the West Riding of the county of Cork, in dismissing Sir James Long, deputy-clerk, from the position he has held for some thirty-eight years with a blameless record of faithful service, and appointing in his place a clerk named Mullins, formerly in the employment of Mr. Wright, Clerk of the Crown for Cork City, but who was dismissed for neglect of duty; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Irish Government have no control over the selection by Clerks of the Crown and Peace of assistants in their office. The Clerks of the Crown and Peace are personally responsible to the Crown for the proper discharge of their duties, which they are bound to perform in person with such clerical aid as they deem necessary. Mr. O'Connell informs me that he did not dismiss Sir James Long from his position as assistant in the office, but that the latter terminated his connection with the office by his own action.