HC Deb 19 July 1911 vol 28 cc1038-41
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked how many magistrates had been appointed since January, 1906, to the borough bench at Blackburn, and what were the politics of the persons appointed, so far as was known, and how many Labour representatives were included in the number; and also what was the present number of Liberal, Conservative, and Labour magistrates on the roll for the borough?

The CHANCELLOR of the DUCHY of LANCASTER (Mr. Joseph Pease)

Twenty-one magistrates have been appointed to the Blackburn Borough Bench since January, 1908. Eight of them are Liberals, one Conservative, and three representatives of Labour. I have no information as to the individual politics of nine others who were appointed in 1906. As regards the Bench as a whole, I am given to understand that its present complexion, so far as is known, is twenty-six Liberals, thirty-two Conservatives, six Labour representatives, and one Nationalist.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that six labour representatives out of a bench of over sixty is a fair proportion considering that a majority of the electors voted for a Labour candidate at the last election?

Mr. PEASE

Where the bench is overmanned, as I believe it is in the case of Blackburn, I do not think it is advisable to appoint a large number of individuals to the bench in order to equalise certain interests.

Mr. PEEL

Does the right hon. Gentle-man consider the politics of these gentlemen before their judicial fitness for the position?

Mr. PEASE

We take into consideration every circumstance connected with their qualifications for the position.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman last year appointed nineteen magistrates, all Liberals, and not one Labour representative?

Mr. PEASE

I must ask for notice of that question.

Mr. KING

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether any of these magistrates who do not attend to their duties might be removed to make room for better men?

Mr. SNOWDEN

asked if advisory committees on the appointment of magistrates had been appointed for the county; if so, were any trade union, labour, or other working-class bodies consulted as to the constitution of such committees; how many working men had been appointed on such committees, and, if any, in what districts; and what were the politics, so far as was known, of all the members appointed?

Mr. PEASE

One advisory committee has been appointed for the County Palatine Bench. In appointing this committee I relied on the advice of individuals, and did not consult any working-class group or corporate bodies. The Lord Lieutenant who presides is a Liberal; two of his colleagues are Liberals and two Conserva- tives. Although they are all doing or have done a good deal of work for the county, I believe the hon. Member would not describe them as working men.

Mr. SNOWDEN

There are no working men on the Advisory Committee?

Mr. PEASE

No.

Mr. SNOWDEN

asked if an Advisory Committee on the appointment of magistrates had been appointed for the Blackburn district; if so, who were the persons appointed and what were their politics; and was any Labour organisation consulted as to the nomination of a working-man member of the committee?

Mr. PEASE

Blackburn has been grouped with Darwen, Clitheroe, and Accrington, and an Advisory Committee of five members appointed for the group. The names of the members are Messrs. H. Harrison, W. Haworth, R. Trappes-Lomax, T, Garnett, and J. Tomlinson; of these I am informed that two are Liberals, two Conservatives, and one of more or less independent views. No Labour organisation was consulted as to the nomination of a working-man member of the committee. If experience shows a good object would be served by any or all of these boroughs having each its own committee, I shall be prepared to revise the present arrangement. May I add that in appointing these committees I have tried to follow the recommendations in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Selection of Justices of the Peace, and that in appointing new magistrates, I regard as important the recommendation to the effect that persons of every social grade should be appointed justices of the peace, and that working men with a first-hand knowledge of the conditions of life among their own class should be appointed to the county as well as to the borough benches. No appointments have been made to the Blackburn bench since the institution of the committee system, as I have no reason to suppose that the bench is undermanned. I have not, so far, consulted on any subject the committee for the group which includes Blackburn.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Is it not a fact that the gentleman of "more or less independent views" is a well-known Tory? Further, how does it happen that in the neighbouring borough of Bolton the Advisory Committee consists of Liberal, Tory, and Labour representatives, while the only re- presentative of Blackburn on the local Advisory Committee is a very prominent Tory?

Mr. PEASE

There are Liberals also on the same Advisory Committee. I would remind the hon. Member that appointments to the bench are not made by the Advisory Committees. They are for consultative purposes, not to appoint magistrates.