HC Deb 12 December 1893 vol 19 cc1163-4
MR. J. WILSON (Lanark, Govan)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that in the appointment of the Justices of the Peace who have been on the Commission for the Counties of Lanark and Renfrew, but who have been nominated for the County of the City of Glasgow, a fee of 10s. is charged on qualifying; and whether, considering the position is one of transference in the interest of the new County of the City of Glasgow, this fee is legal?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

The Clerk of the Peace informs me that the fee of 10s. charged in connection with the appointment of Justice of the Peace for the County of the City of Glasgow is the fee which is charged to cover the trouble to which the clerk is put in connection with the appointment and the swearing in and induction into office— which is the same in the case of a transference as in the case of an original appointment. The Clerk of the Peace has not informed me on what statutory or other authority this fee is exacted, and I have written again on this point.

MR. A. C. MORTON

Is a similar charge made in other counties? And, if so, what is the amount?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

If my hon. Friend will move for a Return, I will consider if it can be granted. I may, too, refer my hon. Friend to an answer given by the Attorney General of the late Government as to Magistrates appointed for the City of London.