HC Deb 11 November 1929 vol 231 cc1528-9
63. Dr. MORGAN

asked the Attorney-General whether it is the intention of the Lord Chancellor to increase the number of Justices of the Peace in London; whether he is aware that in many cases great difficulty is experienced by poorer inhabitants in securing access to a Justice of the Peace; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing Justices of the Peace more in touch with the poorer sections of the community?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir James Melville)

One of the duties of the Advisory Committee in London is to advise the Lord Chancellor as to the need for increasing the number of Justices of the Peace, and the Committee have regard to the need for the appointment of Justices available to the poorer sections of the community. The Lord Chancellor is always prepared to call the attention of the Committee to the needs of any district in which it is suggested that additional Justices are required.

Mr. OLDFIELD

Would the learned Solicitor-General consider, in the matter of Justices of the Peace, giving to the Labour representatives some juster representation upon the local benches in the country?

66. Dr. HASTINGS

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider the advisability of consulting with the Lord Chancellor regarding the strengthening of the advisory committees for the appointment of magistrates by including in them a fair representation of all sections of the community?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL

The Royal Commission on the Selection of Justices of the Peace recommended that, in setting up advisory committees, regard should primarily be had to the importance of giving them a representative character. This recommendation is carefully followed by the Lord Chancellor when he is making appointments to his advisory committees.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Would the learned Solicitor-General say what exactly he means by "representative character"?

Mr. SPEAKER

That would be rather a long description to give now.