§ 61. Sir FRANK NELSONasked the Attorney-General whether any inquiry has been made recently into the present methods of creating justices of the peace. and as to whether the system is in conformity with the wishes of the public?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)An inquiry into the whole system of appointing justices of the peace was held by a Royal Commission which sat as recently as 1910, and the present system is based on the Report of that Commission. My right hon. and Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has no reason to suppose that the present system of appointment is not in conformity with the wishes of the public.
§ Sir F. NELSONAm I correct in assuming that the advisory committees are appointed by the Lord Lieutenant?
§ Sir D. HOGGI am afraid I should have to ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, so far as Scotland, at any rate, is concerned, that these appointments are made largely as a 1321 matter of patronage by those who are in authority; and those who have been elected as representatives of the people are sometimes set aside?
§ Mr. BLUNDELLIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Labour Government, appointed 73 magistrates at one swoop, and that they were nearly all members of the Labour party?
§ Mr. RILEYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction in the Northern counties with the present system?
§ Sir D. HOGGNo, Sir, I am not.