§ MR. H. SETON-KARR (St. Helen's)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the proposed directions in reference to the qualification of mayors of boroughs for the county bench, under the Local Government Act of 1894, will be issued by Her Majesty's Government; whether these directions will provide for mayors' oaths being taken before justices for either counties or boroughs, or before justices for the County only; and, whether mayors may safely qualify before the actual directions are issued?
§ MR. ASQUITHI am not sure to what proposed directions the hon. Member refers. There is no intention at present to issue any directions as to the qualification of mayors of boroughs to act, under the Local Government Act, 1894, as justices for the county in which such boroughs are situated. But a circular letter is in the Press, and will shortly be sent to the authorities concerned, informing them that the chairman of an urban or rural district council under that Act, being in virtue of it an ex-officio justice of the peace 1280 for the county in which such district is situate, may take the oath of allegiance and judicial oath required to be taken by such justice before two or more justices for the county, sitting in petty sessions.