§ MR. LEVY LEVER (Essex, Harwich)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that it sometimes happens that the clerk to a bench of county justices is concerned professionally in cases in which the said bench is called upon to adjudicate; and whether, having regard to the possibility of a miscarriage of justice in such circumstances, he will introduce legislation to put an end to such a system.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I am not aware of any such cases having occurred as would make legislation on the subject desirable. It is, I believe, generally recognised that where justices have to adjudicate between two parties, their clerk is under a stringent obligation not to act professionally for either side; but, if the hon. Member will let me know of any instances to the contrary that may have come to his knowledge, I will have inquiry made.