I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of abolishing the office of Cursitor to the County Palatine of Lancaster, now vacant; and whether as a considerable portion of the cost of writ of dedimus potestatem, charged to Lancashire county justices when qualifying for the commission of the peace, has been heretofore paid to the Cursitor, that charge can henceforth be discontinued?

Yes; but there are other duties besides the issue of writs of dedimus, such as the issue of writs for the appointment of coroners, and writs under the Church Discipline Act in the case of contumacious clergymen, which may make it convenient to retain the office. Should a new appointment be made, it will be under the express condition that the Cursitor is not in the future to issue any writs of dedimus.