§ 36. Mr. McSHANEasked the Attorney-General what steps are being now taken to remove from the panels of justices throughout the country the names of those who have ceased to take an active part in some way in performing their duties?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir William Jowitt)It is one of the duties of the local committees which advise my Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, on the question of the selection and appointment of magistrates, to inform him of those magistrates who have ceased to take an active part in the performance of their duties, and in suitable cases he endeavours to procure their resignation.
§ Mr. McSHANEIs it not obvious that that system has broken down, from the large number who still remain on the benches of magistrates; and what scheme or plan is adopted by the Lord Chancellor himself to ask, if necessary, for reports from the chairmen of these committees, so that the matter may be fully dealt with?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALAs I said, the Lord Chancellor merely endeavours to secure resignations, but the removal of magistrates from the bench is a procedure which relates to more serious cases.
§ Mr. McSHANEOught he not to try Voltaire's method, in order to encourage them to resign?