HC Deb 10 March 1893 vol 9 cc1597-8
MR. STUART-WORTLEY

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the promised Return relating to the magistracy in England and Wales is one which has been already ordered by this House; and, if so, on whose Motion and on what day; and when is the Return likely to be presented?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. HERBERT GLADSTONE, Leeds, W.)

Two Returns relating to this subject have been asked for and granted. The first was moved for by the hon. Member for Sunderland on February 2, and is similar to the Return granted by the late Home Secretary in 1888. This will take possibly six months to prepare. The second was moved for on February 21 by the hon. Member for the Rye Division, and will probably take about three months to prepare.

MR. STUART-WORTLEY

Had the hon. Member in his mind either of these Returns when he spoke in this House on the 3rd instant?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

I had both of them in my mind.

MR. STUART - WORTLEY

Is either of the Returns calculated to elicit any information whatever as regards the political opinions of Magistrates?

MR. H. GLADSTONE

It is perfectly impossible to ask that the political opinions of Magistrates should be stated in a Return.