§ MR. FIRTHasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a contest about to take place for the Aldermanic Chair in the Ward of Queen-hithe, in the City of London; whether he is aware that the whole number of electors in the Ward is only 273, but that the person elected becomes ipso facto a judge at the Central Criminal Court, and a magistrate for life; and, whether, in order to obviate the disadvantages of having judicial offices open to public election, and such offices filled by persons devoid of legal knowledge and experience, he is prepared to amend the provisions of 4 and. 5 Will. 4, c. 36, s. 1 (Central Criminal Court Act), so as to exclude City Aldermen from the position of Judges in the Central Criminal Court, and also to extend to the City of London the system of qualified stipendiary magistracy which exists in the Metropolis outside the City?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTSir, the Question which the hon. Member asks me is part of a great question which I hope this House will before long have time to address itself to. I mean the reform of the municipal government of London. I hope that matter will be dealt with before long; but I do not think it is possible to deal with the particular question to which he refers apart from the consideration of that matter as a whole.