§ 48. Mr. WILLIAM YOUNGasked whether there is an advisory committee to assist the Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire in recommending gentlemen as justices of the peace for the county of Perth; if so, what are the names; whether the advisory committee, if such there be, approved the names of the twenty-five gentlemen recently added to the roll of justices; and whether the predominance of one party on the county bench, which has been further aggravated by the recent appointments, was considered by the advisory committee or by the Lord Chancellor?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The appointments in question were made on the recommendation of an advisory committee, on which Liberals and Conservatives are evenly balanced. I am further informed that the twenty-five gentlemen appointed are as evenly divided as possible with regard to politics. It must not be assumed that any preponderance of one party, which may exist on any bench at the present time, is necessarily permanent.
§ Mr. YOUNGDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the advisory committee to which he refers is a satisfactory and impartial Committee, and will he see that an impartial advisory committee is appointed at once so as to avoid scandals of the kind which have taken place and so as to remedy the glaringly partisan character of the bench throughout the county of Perth, more especially the Eastern part of the county?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no personal knowledge of the matter, but my information is that the advisory committee is one on which the two parties are equally balanced.
§ Mr. WATTIs it the case that no discussion is permitted; that the Lords Lieutenant bring in the list of their prospective Justices of the Peace and allow no discussion as to the merits or demerits?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should be surprised if that is so.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI presume so.