HC Deb 09 March 1893 vol 9 cc1451-2
MR. BRAND (Cambridge, Wisbech)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that about 90 per cent. of the Justices of the Peace (county) are now drawn from one Political Party, the Government intend to take any action in this matter, with a view to altering the present state of affairs?

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

This question is one of very considerable difficulty and, at the same time, of importance. I cannot make any definite statement at the present moment. The subject has been under the active consideration of the Government, and correspondence has taken place upon it. I should think that in the course of a very small number of weeks I may be able to give a more definite answer to the ques- tion. I am not cognisant of the fact that the proportion is 90 per cent.

MR. LODER

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a similar state of uncertainty as to the politics of gentlemen appointed by the Lord Chancellor to the Borough Benches?

[No answer was given.]