§ Mr. MULDOONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is the duty of the Lord Lieutenant of a county and the Lord Chancellor, when a name is submitted to them, for the office of justice of the peace, to inquire into the position and occupation in life of the applicant; whether queries are addressed to every applicant in the usual course seeking this and other information; what answer was given by Daniel McCarthy, of Skibbereen, to the question-what his occupation was; why it was that both officials neglected their duty in his case; and whether this is the first case of a clerk of a union being appointed a justice of the peace for twenty-five years?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is an essential part of the duty of the Lieutenant of a county-to make inquiries as to the position and occupation of a candidate for the magistracy prior to recommending him to the Lord Chancellor, and to see that the form of particulars is fully and accurately filled up by the applicant. In dealing with the recommendation, the Lord Chancellor assumes that these steps have been taken by the Lieutenant, and independent inquiries are not generally made by the-Lord Chancellor with regard to these matters unless there is some particular reason for further inquiry. Candidates for the magistracy are usually required to 27W fill up a form of particulars. In Mr. McCarthy's case the applicant, in reply to the query as to whether he was an agent, stated that he was an insurance agent; as to his property, that he held landed property of the annual value of £24 (in fee), and was possessed of stocks and shares to the amount of £700; and to the query as to profession, office, or employment, he replied that he was a gentleman. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that this is the first case of an appointment to the commission of the peace of a clerk of a union for twenty-five years. Within that period two other such persons were appointed.