§ MR. WHITMORE (Chelsea)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now decided upon the means by which effect shall be given to the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Metro- 1270 politan Police Courts that two additional Magistrates shall be appointed?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.As I intimated some time ago, the Government do not feel justified in recommending the increased charge upon the Public Exchequer which would be involved in the appointment of two additional Metropolitan Magistrates. I am endeavouring to devise a re-arrangement of areas and of business which, without putting an end to any of the existing Courts or imposing an excessive burden of duty upon the Magistrates, will largely mitigate, if it does not altogether remove, the public inconvenience which arises from the present state of things.
§ MR. WHITMOREWill not the rearrangement involve the addition of two Magistrates?
§ MR. ASQUITHNo, Sir.