HC Deb 09 April 1925 vol 182 cc2422-3
71. Mr. WHITELEY

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the appointment of 19 new Magistrates for the County of Durham and that only two representing the interests of Labour are included in the list, who are appointed because of being members of the advisory committee; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter to see that Labour opinion is more adequately represented, in view of the already small number of such representatives in the existing lists of Magistrates?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)

I understand that the appointments referred to in the question were made on the recommendation of the Durham County Advisory Committee, upon which all interests are fully represented. The Lord Chancellor has drawn the attention of the advisory committee to the desirability of including an adequate number of representatives of the point of view of labour when they are recommending persons for appointment to the Durham County Bench, and he has no doubt that they will give careful consideration to this point in the future.

Mr. WHITELEY

Is the Attorney-General aware that in this particular list there is a person aged 21 years, who has never rendered any public service at all?

Sir D. HOGG

No, Sir, I have no idea whether it is so or not.

Mr. BATEY

Is he aware that this young man is the son of a lord?

Sir D. HOGG

I do not in the least. know what names were before the committee which recommended certain names to the Lord Chancellor. All I know is that certain recommendations were made by the committee, and the Lord Chancellor gave effect to them.

Mr. WHITELEY

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that the composition of this committee shows that the members representing Labour ideas are in a very small minority, and they have not power to decide these things?

Sir D. HOGG

I do not in the least know what is the composition of this particular committee, but as the House knows, these committees are set up in the various counties by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, after consultation with the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord Chancellor has drawn the attention of the Advisory Committee to the desirability of including all points of view

Mr. BATEY

Is the Attorney-General aware that the packing of the local Police Courts will result in them being more Tory in the County of Durham?

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