HC Deb 05 March 1935 vol 298 cc1744-8
31. Mr. McENTEE

asked the Attorney-General which boroughs and county divisions are still without women justices?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir Donald Somervell)

There are 1,006 petty sessional divisions, of which 746 are county, 251 borough and 9 with special jurisdiction. Of these there are 53 county and 9 borough divisions to which women justices have not as yet been allocated. With the permission of the hon. Member I will circulate the names of these divisions in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. McENTEE

May I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether, in view of the usefulness of women magistrates in other areas, it is proposed to fill vacancies as they occur in the areas which up to now have had no women magistrates?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL

The next question but one on the Paper deals with the procedure for the appointment of justices, and no doubt those who are concerned in working that procedure will note what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Viscountess ASTOR

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman bring to the notice of the Government the fact that there is among the lord-lieutenants one in particular who says that as long as he is in his position there will be no women appointed?

Following are the names:

Petty Sessional Divisions.
County. Boroughs.
Berks:
Faringdon. Maidenhead.
Hungerford.
Ilsley.
Lambourn.
Moreton.
Isle of Ely:
Whittlesey. Wisbech.
Cheshire:
— Congleton.
Derby:
Appletree.
Repton.
Wirksworth.
Petty Sessional Divisions.
County. Boroughs.
Durham:
Castle Eden.
Sunderland.
West Hartlepool.
Hants:
Eastleigh. Ramsey.
Lines (Kesteven):
— Stamford.
Lines (Lindsey):
Wragby.
Monmouth:
Skenfrith.
Trelleck.
Notts:
— Newark.
Oxford:
— Henley-on-Thames.
Salop:
Bishops Castle. Ludlow.
Clun and Purslow. Wenlock.
Wem.
Wilts:
Trowbridge.
Worcester:
Evesham.
Tenbury.
Yorks (East Riding):
Holme Beacon.
Howdenshire.
Middle Holderness.
North Holderness.
North Hunsley Beacon.
South Holderness.
Yorks (West Riding):
Bolton by Bow-land.
Ewecross.
Kirkby Malzard.
Lower Barkston Ash.
Liberty of Ripon.
Brecon:
Defynock.
Talgarth.
Carnarvon:
Nant Conway.
Cardigan:
Lampeter.
Llanilar.
Tregaron.
Carmarthen:
Llanboidy.
Newcastle Emlyn.
St. Clears.
Petty Sessional Divisions.
County. Boroughs.
Denbighshire:
Isaled.
Llangollen.
Uwchaled.
Uwchddulas.
Glamorgan:
Aberavon.
Cowbridge.
Gower.
Swansea.
Merioneth:
Edeyrnion.
Montgomery:
Mathrafal.
Pembroke:
Cilgerran.
Radnor:
Colwyn.
33. Mr. TINKER

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the widespread protests concerning the appointments of magistrates; and whether he will give the procedure adopted when the selections are made?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL

I am not aware of widespread protests. Since the report of the Royal Commission on the Selection of Justices of the Peace the selection of those who are to be considered for appointment is made by advisory committees and they submit a list of names to the Lord Chancellor or the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as the case may be. In considering these recommendations account is taken of the requirements of the district and the qualifications of the persons proposed for appointment.

Mr. TINKER

May I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman if a citizen who has the ability to serve is debarred from the position of Justice of the Peace because of his occupation? Does that come within the proviso?

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

Will my hon. and learned Friend consider introducing legislation by which a proportion of the magistrates on every bench should be women?

HON. MEMBERS

No.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL

That is entirely a different question, but, so far as the question put by my hon. Friend is concerned, the general answer is most certainly "No." Of course if a man's occupation was such that it precluded him from attending on the bench to the extent which a magistrate ought to do if he is to pull his weight, no doubt that would be a proper matter for the advisory committee to consider.

Mr. TINKER

The question of being precluded from attending is not the point. If he follows an occupation which would enable him to attend, is he debarred from occupying that position?

Mr. GROVES

Is it not true that these advisory committees are appointed for political reasons, and has the hon. and learned Gentleman considered an area like West Ham, where the Chairman belongs to a party that is almost defunct, and where there is a member of a party which is now absolutely defunct, and where it is not—

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot go into all that now.