§ MR. HENRY (Shropshire, Wellington)I beg to ask the Prime Minister if, in consideration of the unwillingness of lord-lieutenants of certain counties to further the appointments of county magistrates in order that the evil, of which the Lord Chancellor is aware, may be remedied as soon as possible, he will take further measures by which the necessary investigations as to the qualifications of persons recommended, and the appointments may be made without having recourse to the lord-lieutenants.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)It is not the fact that the lord-lieutenants as a rule have shown any unwillingness to assist the Lord Chancellor in the matter referred to. On the contrary, they have furnished information in regard to persons recommended which; has been of great assistance. The position of Justice of the Peace involves judicial powers of an extended character and of great importance. The Lord Chancellor is responsible that none but suitable persons should be appointed, and considers that it is neither practicable nor desirable to dispense with the assistance which the lord-lieutenants have for the most part most cordially given.
§ MR. BRACE (Glamorganshire, S.)asked what steps could be taken to get magistrates appointed in districts where the Bench was mostly Conservative.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI do not know what the particular form is, but application ought to be made, I presume, to the Lord Chancellor, and the names submitted to him, when he will make such inquiries as he thinks necessary.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am aware of this fact—that the Lord Chancellor has devoted an infinity of time and labour to the investigation of this matter, which requires a certain amount of patient investigation.