§ Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate if he will state what is the system adopted, in Scotland under his Department by clerks of the peace in constituting a bench, in the Justices of Peace Court; have the clerks any system of calling upon the justices by rotation to occupy the bench, or do they choose them arbitrarily, the same justices taking the positions repeatedly, to the total exclusion of others; and, if so, will he see that, in future, it is not left in the hands of the clerks of the peace to fix who shall best adjudicate on certain types of cases?
§ Mr. A. DEWARMy hon. Friend addressed a similar question to my predecessor on 15th July of last year and was informed that the regulation of Justice of Peace Courts is in the hands of justices themselves, that no complaints had been received, and that in the circumstances no action could be taken. I adhere to the reply then given.
§ Mr. WATTDo I understand that this meeting of the justices, which was to be called in reference to the action of the clerk, must be called together by the clerk himself?
§ Mr. A. DEWARThey are not under the jurisdiction of the Lord Advocate, but if any complaint arises, then the Lord Advocate will investigate; but, as I have told the hon. Member, no complaint has arisen.