HC Deb 14 March 1898 vol 54 cc1629-30

An Amendment made.

Motion made and Question proposed— That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

MR. CALDWELL

I should like to ask the Lord Advocate whether this clause will cover the case, not merely of an ex-officio who has been re-elected once, but whether it would apply if he is elected after a lapse of some years.

*MR. GRAHAM MURRAY

The clause is not intended to apply after a hiatus of 20 years, for instance.

MR. CALDWELL

It seems unfair that a man who is already a Justice of the Peace for one county should, on being made an ex-officio Justice of the Peace in another county, have again to pay the fee and to take the oath. He ought not to have to pay again whatever interval there has been. As the Lord Advocate is aware, this is a point which has actually arisen. Suppose a man is Chairman of the Parish Council of Lanark; as Chairman of the Parish Council for the time being he is a Justice of the Peace for the county. Would it be necessary, under this Bill, for that man to take the oath and pay the fees twice over?

*MR. GRAHAM MURRAY

No.

MR. CALDWELL

When a man has once taken the oath as a Justice of the Peace he ought not to be asked to take that oath a second time merely because he occupies a position which the law imposes upon him.

*MR. GRAHAM MURRAY

I agree with the hon. Member, and he will bear in mind that each county has a separate Commissioner of the Peace.

Question put and agreed to.

Other Amendments made.

Bill reported with an amended title; as amended to be considered upon Thursday.