HC Deb 14 August 1913 vol 56 cc2651-2
63. Mr. KING

asked the Attorney-General whether Lords Lieutenant have been called upon to secure the retirement of magistrates who, through illness, removal of residence, or other cause, have become ineffective members of their Petty Sessional benches, as recommended by the Royal Commission; whether any magistrates have actually resigned; and, if so, whether the numbers can be stated?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Rufus Isaacs)

Lords Lieutenant and Advisory Committees have had their attention drawn, by a special memorandum of the Lord Chancellor, to the recommendations of the Royal Commission with regard to the resignation of justices, Effect has been, and is being, given to these recommendations throughout the country, and, as a consequence, many justices have resigned. To give the exact numbers would involve a large amount of research, and the result would in any case be misleading, as many gentlemen have asked voluntarily to have their names removed from the Commissions, in deference to the recommendations of the Royal Commission, and without any suggestion from outside.