§ 32. Mr. MANDERasked the Home Secretary the number of whole-time magistrates' clerks and the number engaged part-time in private practice; and in how many cases these latter appear for the police in other districts?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have no exact figures, but I understand that there are about 850 justices' clerks, of whom about 50 are whole-time officers. I have no information about the second part of the question.
§ Mr. MANDERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he considers that the practice referred to in the latter part of the question is a desirable one?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy hon. Friend, I am sure, will see that in the case of petty sessions where there is very litle work to do, it is hardly possible to insist that the clerk occupied on a few days of the year should remain without work for the rest of the year.
§ Mr. MANDERIs there not other work besides police prosecutions in the Courts?