HC Deb 25 June 1913 vol 54 cc1074-5W
Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGH

also asked the Chief Secretary if it is proposed to appoint any more justices of the peace for the Belleek Petty Sessions district in county Fermanagh; have a number of persons, some of whom are members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, been sent forward by the parish priest to the Lord Chancellor; will he suggest to the Lord Chancellor the desirability of appointing a few Protestant justices and men who are not old age pensioners, as is the case with one occupant of the local bench; and is he aware that, of the justices qualified to sit at Belleek, only one is a Protestant, and the Protestant population of the district has no confidence in the Court as at present constituted?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Lord Chancellor intends to appoint justices of the peace for the Belleek Petty Sessions or for any other district if, in his opinion, same are required. It is not a fact that a number of names of persons, some of whom are members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, have been sent forward by the parish priest to the Lord Chancellor. No names at all have been sent forward by the parish priest. No old age pensioners have been appointed to the commission of the peace as suggested. There are seven magistrates authorised to attend the Belleek Petty Sessions of whom three are believed to be Protestants, and four are believed to be Roman Catholics.

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