Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he has taken into consideration. the practice of many lords lieutenant, who refuse to nominate as magistrates any names which have not been approved by the petty sessional benches on which the gentlemen whose names thus submitted would serve; whether he is aware that many suitable persons have thus been refused the opportunity of serving as magistrates; and whether he will approach the Lord Chancellor with a view to this practice being discontinued?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am informed that no such practice has ever been approved by the Lord Chancellor, and he is not aware that appointments have been thereby prevented. It is impossible under a system of advisory committees.
Mr. KINGWill the Prime Minister approach the authorities with a view to an expression of disapproval of this practice?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt does not rest with me at all, but I will refer what my hon. Friend says to the Lord Chancellor.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHasked how many Liberals have been appointed to the commission of the peace in Midlothian during the past year
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no information on the subject.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the fact that the lord lieutenant of Midlothian has placed difficulties in the way of the creation of an advisory committee for Midlothian, and can he lay the correspondence between the Lord Chancellor and the lord lieutenant of Midlothian on the Table? It is believed they will be most interesting.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am told it is a fact that the lord lieutenant has placed no difficulties in the way of the appointment of suitable persons.
Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister if he will take into consideration the fact that on many magisterial benches there are magistrates who, from age, infirmity, removal of residency, or other cause, are prevented from taking active part in the work of the magistracy; and whether he will initiate legislation or administrative action, if such be possible, with the object of securing that the magisterial benches shall be effectively manned?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis subject is dealt with in the Report of the Royal Commission, and the Lord Chancellor informs me that it is intended in a short time to take administrative steps in the direction indicated.