HC Deb 13 March 1893 vol 9 cc1845-6
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Act of 1609 (Scotland), so far as it relates to Justices of the Peace, is still in force; and, if not, when it was repealed?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR,) Clackmannan

The Act of 1609, cap. 7, to which I understand my hon. Friend refers, provides that in every shire within this Kingdom there shall be yearly appointed by His Majesty some godly, wise, and virtuous gentlemen of good quality, means, and report, making residence within the same for the purpose of assisting to prevent the reviving of the deadly feuds which the Preamble of the Act states had previously been very prevalent. I am not prepared to say whether that Act has been expressly repealed; but I think there can be no doubt that it has fallen into desuetude since the passing of the later Acts dealing with the appointment of Justices, and the cessation of the causes which appear to have led to its enactment.

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether steps will be taken to remove from the Roll of Justices of the Peace for Ross and Cromarty the name of John Charles William Paul Graham, late of Drynie, who has no property in the county and resides abroad?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

Lord Chancellors have not considered non-residence as a reason for removing a Justice from the Bench, and an exception would not be made in a special case.