HC Deb 03 August 1894 vol 28 cc5-6
Mr. RANKIN (Herefordshire, Leominster)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, if a Chairman of a District Council qualified as a Magistrate, he would be required to pay the usual fees and, if so, whether he would be required to pay such fees over again if he, on a second occasion, was elected as Chairman of a District Council and qualified as a Magistrate?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.

In a Circular sent out from the Home Office on the 14th of last month, I have advised the Standing Joint Committees that the fee payable on qualifying by an ex officio Justice should not exceed 5s. This fee would, I apprehend, be payable as often as the Magistrate qualified; it could not, if my advice as to its amount is followed, constitute a serious burden.