HC Deb 27 April 1911 vol 24 cc1961-2
Mr. BECK

asked the Prime Minister whether, having in view the dissatisfaction and mistrust felt concerning the present method of appointing persons to serve as justices of the peace, he will consider the advisability of affording to the Members of this House an early opportunity for the discussion of the whole question?

The following questions on the same subject were also on the Notice Paper:—

Mr. PRIMROSE

To ask the Prime Minister whether he contemplates any change in regard to the appointment of justices of the peace?

Mr. WEDGWOOD

To ask the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the future appointments to the county bench?

Mr. MacCULLUM SCOTT

To ask the Prime Minister what definite steps had been taken during the past year to secure a more satisfactory method of selecting justices of the peace?

Mr. KING

To ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which has been expressed for years past with the composition and decisions of many benches of magistrates, he would either modify the existing magistracy by a large number of new appointments or would introduce legislation by which magistrates should retain office only for a limited period, subject to possible reappointment?

Mr. AGAR-ROBARTES

To ask the Prime Minister whether he would give a day for the discussion of the appointments of justices of the peace?

Mr. HAROLD PEARSON

To ask the Prime Minister in how many counties advisory committees have been appointed to help the Lord Lieutenants and the Lord Chancellor in the selection of magistrates; whether these committees have proved successful; and whether they have tended to reduce political bias as a factor in the selection of the magistrates?

The PRIME MINISTER

While I am quite prepared to deal with most of the points involved in the questions, there are still one or two matters on which I am completing my information, and I should therefore prefer to postpone my reply till Monday.