§ MR. A. M'ARTHUR (for Mr. P. A. TAYLOR)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is a fact that six additional magistrates have been appointed for the borough of Leicester without any recommendation or opportunity for discussion on the part of the municipal authorities; if he will state on whose recommendation such appointment has been made; and, if he will lay upon the Table any Papers relating to such appointment?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, he had consulted his noble Friend the Lord Chancellor on the subject, and 1257 he was informed that it was a misapprehension to suppose that borough magistrates were appointed by the Lord Chancellor on the recommendation of any corporate body. County magistrates were appointed by the Lord Chancellor on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of the county; but borough magistrates were appointed by the Lord Chancellor on his own responsibility. The Lord Chancellor was always ready to receive any communications from a municipal corporation or public body, or from individuals, as to the state of the bench; but he did not conceive it to be his duty to invite a public discussion of the qualifications of persons proposed to be appointed. In the case of Leicester the Lord Chancellor appointed six gentlemen whom he considered well qualified for the office, one of whom was the High Bailiff, a gentleman well adapted to discharge the duties, but of Liberal politics. There were at the commencement of the year 28 magistrates, four of whom had since ceased to reside in the borough. It was not the practice, and would be prejudicial to the public service, to lay on the Table the Papers relating to such matters.