§ MR. LOCKEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Government intend to give their sanction to the Election of any more Jurats of the Royal Court of Jersey?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he had been in communication with the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, but had not received a final answer from him. As far, however, as he understood the matter, the Jurats were elected 1121 for life by the ratepayers of the island, and the Secretary of State, therefore, had nothing to do with their appointment.
§ MR. LOCKEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Government intend to fill up the appointment of Viscount of the Royal Court of Jersey?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he believed that the Government were bound to fill up the appointment of Viscount of the Royal Court of Jersey. The delay in doing so had arisen because the office had hitherto been generally performed by deputy; and he was endeavouring to see that the person to be appointed should be one who would do the duty, and not leave it to a deputy.
§ MR. LOCKEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the officers of the Royal Court of Jersey are not all paid by fees, and consequently have a direct interest in cases being postponed from time to time?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he could only refer the hon. Member to the Report of the Commission which sat on that subject, from which he found that the Procurator General's salary was £100 annually, besides official fees, which might amount to much more. The Secretary and another officer had smaller salaries. Neither of those persons received any fees for conducting criminal cases; but each of them might act for private parties in civil cases.