§ Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate if ho will state in what counties in Scotland have committees been set up to assist the 1382 Lord Chancellor in the appointment of justices of the peace; were these committees chosen by the Lord Chancellor or by the lords-lieutenant of the counties, or by whom; of how many do these committes consist; and is it the intention of the Government that local Members of Parliament should make representations to these committees, who will put the representations before the Lord Chancellor?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)The counties in which Committees have been set up are Clackmannan, Fife, Kirkcudbright, Nairn, Stirling, county of City of Edinburgh, county of city of Glasgow, and Inverness, which is, however, under reconsideration. The numbers vary from four to seven. The members of committees have been chosen by the Lord Chancellor, in a very few cases upon personal knowledge, in general upon communication both with the Lord-Lieutenant and others. Anyone can make representations to the committees, and the committees can make any representations to the Lord Chancellor.
Captain MURRAYWho are the "others," with whom, according to the right hon. Gentleman's answer, the Lord Chancellor has been in communication?
§ Sir WALTER MENZIESWho are the clerks of the advisory committees to whom we are to make our communications?
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONShall we get the names of these advisory committees?
§ Mr. AINSWORTHWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability, when the names of these advisory committees have been finally settled by the Lord Chancellor, of authorising their publication?
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEWilt the right hon. Gentleman ask if the Lord Chancellor's recommendation that Members of Parliament should not be allowed to recommend candidates for justices might be carried out?
Captain CRAIGWould it not be possible to make all Radicals magistrates, and start a new order for administering justice in the country?