HC Deb 13 April 1910 vol 16 cc1370-1W
Mr. HAZLETON

asked when and why the Crown solicitorships of Donegal and Londonderry were amalgamated; when and why were the same offices for Fermanagh and Tyrone amalgamated; and is it proposed to amalgamate any more of these offices?

Mr. BIRRELL

In accordance with the practice which existed prior to 1883 the Crown solicitorship of Donegal and Lon- donderry has been held by one person since 1857, while that of Fermanagh and Tyrone has been held by one person since 1881. The present practice, which was adopted on the recommendation of a committee of inquiry in 1883, is to appoint a separate Crown solicitor for each county.

Mr. HAZLETON

asked who fixes the salaries of the Crown solicitors; what is to be the scale of salaries for these appointments when amalgamated with the office of Sessional Crown Solicitor; and the reason for the variation between the salary of £160 paid in King's County and that of £600 paid in Galway?

Mr. BIRRELL

In pursuance of the recommendations made by a Committee of Inquiry in 1883 the offices of Crown and Sessional Crown Solicitor have been amalgamated in most counties as vacancies have arisen. The salaries are fixed from time to time, with reference to the particular circumstance of each case, by the Treasury in communication with the Irish Government. There can be no comparison between King's County and county Galway; and, furthermore, the offices have been amalgamated in the latter county and not in the former.