HC Deb 03 March 1893 vol 9 cc967-9
MR. DODD (Essex, Maldon)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that, in the County of Worcester, out of 257 County Justices, 12 only belong to the Liberal Party, whilst 245 belong to the Party now in opposition to Her Majesty's Government; if he will call the attention of the Lord Chancellor to this great disproportion; and if he is not aware of these facts will he inquire into them?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

I am aware that in this and in other counties there is a great disproportion between the number of Liberal and Conservative Magistrates. I have no reason to doubt, but I have no means of verifying, the precise figures stated by my hon. Friend. I have brought the matter under the notice of the Lord Chancellor.

SIR T. LEA (Londonderry, S.)

May I ask whether it is not possible to obtain a little more accurate information than that contained in the question; and whether it is not a fact that on the list of Worcestershire Magistrates at the present time there are about a dozen gentlemen who contested Parliamentary elections as strong Liberals, and a great many more who actively supported them?

MR. LODER (Brighton)

I beg also to ask is it not a fact that political considerations enter very largely into the appointment of Borough Magistrates; and if the Lord Chancellor has not appointed a large number of known and avowed supporters of the Government to the Magistracy on borough Benches?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

A Return is now being prepared by the Home Office, which will give, I think, full information with regard to the questions now put. When the figures are before the House hon. Members will draw their own conclusions.

MR. MOWBRAY (Lancashire, Prestwich)

Will it give the dates when the appointments were made?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

Yes.

MR. J. G. LAWSON (York, N.R., Thirsk)

May I ask whether, in preparing the Return, he will say what evidence of political opinion he required in the case of gentlemen charged with being opposed to Her Majesty's Government?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

Hon. Members will have to draw their own conclusions from the facts as given in the Return.

MR. BARTLEY

Is it not an infringement of the Ballot Act to cross-question those who are to be appointed Magistrates?

MR. MACFARLANE (Argyll)

Is the Return to extend to the whole country?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

I think it is limited to England and Wales.

SIR J. GOLDSMID (St. Pancras, S.)

May I ask whether it is the practice of Lord Lieutenants when recommending Magistrates to inquire into their politics?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

My opportunities for knowing anything about the motives of Lord Lieutenants are singularly limited.

SIR J. GOLDSMID

I did not ask what their motives were; I asked whether it is the practice.

DR. MAC GREGOR (Inverness-shire)

Cannot the Inquiry be extended to Scotland?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

I know of no reason why, if it is asked for by the Secretary for Scotland, it should not extend to Scotland.