§ 44. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Lord Advocate whether it is proposed to appoint additional justices of the peace for the county of West Lothian; and whether the Labour party in the county will be consulted when such appointments are made?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)I have been asked to reply. Justices of the peace for the county of West Lothian are appointed when, in the opinion of the Lord Chan- 791 cellor and his advisory committee, additional appointments are required for the administration of justice. The last appointments were made in August, 1920, and no evidence has been put before the Lord Chancellor since that time showing that further justices are required. It is not the Lord Chancellor's practice to consult any political party, as such, when he is appointing justices. The advisory committee includes members of all political parties, who will be consulted when such appointments are made.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs the learned Attorney-General not aware that in practice political parties are consulted, and that on the last occasion when Justices of the Peace were appointed very few were appointed from among those associated with the Labour party, although the Labour party is predominant in the district?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Attorney-General can only reply on information given to him by the Lord Chancellor.
§ Mr. SHINWELLMay I not have an answer to my question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is raising a matter which is not under the control of the Minister.
§ Mr. SHINWELLOn a point of Order. May I ask, in that case, why the learned Attorney-General has replied to my question at all?
§ Mr. SPEAKERCertain facts can be obtained from the Lord Chancellor regarding these matters, which are not under the control of Parliament, and a question has to be put upon the Paper in order that the information may be obtained.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that this House can review appointments made even by the Lord Chancellor, and is not that the point of my hon. Friend's question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNo, that is not possible.
§ Mr. MACLEANThen why is this question allowed to go on the Paper?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is by an act of courtesy that the Lord Chancellor gives information on these matters.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs it to be understood that hon. Members have no right to question the Attorney-General on matters affecting the appointment of Justices of the Peace?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis has always been a difficult matter, and I would rather not give a hasty Ruling which might limit what has already been the practice of the House.
§ At end of Questions—
§ Mr. SHINWELLMay I ask, Mr. Speaker, when it will be convenient to ask for your ruling as to whether questions relating to the appointment of Justices of the Peace under the prerogative of the Lord Chancellor may be asked in this House, and, further, whether this House is debarred from asking questions as to the method of appointment and the number of Justices of the Peace appointed by Advisory Committees responsible to the Lord Chancellor?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member will give me notice in writing of the question he wishes to ask I will communicate with him when I am prepared to answer it. These are questions which are better answered after due consideration rather than in a hasty manner.