63. Mr. JOHN RUTHERFORDasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the imminent compulsory retirement of His Honour Judge Crawford from the Edmonton County Court, owing to the age limit having been reached; and whether, in view of the local feeling in favour of the extension of his appointment, he will make representations to the Lord Chancellor with a view to an exception being made in this case?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)His Honour Judge Crawford reached the age limit on 31st March last and he will retire on 1st September after having had an extension of his tenure of office. I should not think myself entitled to make any representation to the Lord Chancellor on the manner in which he should exercise the absolute discretion conferred upon him by the proviso to the first Section of the County Court Judges (Retirement, Pension and Deputies) Act, 1919. I am confident that my Noble Friend would concur with me in deprecating the discussion in either House of Parliament of the question whether the retention by any particular member of the judiciary of his office is in the public interest.