§ MR. STOREY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now able to state when we may expect the Return (ordered by this House in February) of County and Borough Magistrates, their names, addresses, occupations, and the date of their appointment?
§ MR. ASQUITHAs regards that portion of the Return which refers to the Borough Magistrates, it has already been sent to the printers. The county portion involves greater labour, and I regret that it is not possible for the Crown Office to say when it will be ready, but no time will be lost. If desired the borough portion could be presented separately as soon as it is received from the printers.
§ MR. WHARTON (York, W.R., Ripon)May I ask from what sources the information is being obtained?
§ MR. ASQUITHIn the case of boroughs from the town clerks, and in the case of counties from the Clerks of the Peace.
§ MR. STOREYIs it not a fact that the Clerks of the Peace have the information in their possession on the rolls of 653 Justices, and does not a period of four months seem an excessive time for supplying it?
§ MR. ASQUITHThat is certainly a matter of opinion.