§ 23. Brigadier-General SPEARSasked the Home Secretary how many magistrates' clerks there are in England and Wales; and how many of these are in private practice?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThere are no official figures, but I understand that there are about 850 justices' clerks, of whom about 50 are whole-time officers, the remainder being free to engage in private practice.
§ Brigadier-General SPEARSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the magistrates' clerk is in private practice most persons appearing before the court are actual or potential clients; and does he consider this in the best interests of justice?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI could not express an opinion on that, but quite obviously there are different circumstances. In some cases it is full-time employment; in others it is not.