MR. LLOYD MORGAN (Carmarthenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether on the demise of the Crown magistrates already on the Commission of the Peace are obliged to take the oath of allegiance 1345 to the new Sovereign, or whether it is merely optional on their part.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonI am advised that magistrates who are duly qualified may, notwithstanding the demise of the Crown, lawfully proceed in the execution of their duties without taking any fresh oath; but that it is proper and desirable that they should embrace an early opportunity of taking anew the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath.