§ MR. LEVY LEVER (Essex, Harwich)I beg 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.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI 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.