HC Deb 10 November 1936 vol 317 cc682-4
33. Mr. WESTWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that several of the justices of the peace within the County of Fife are over 70 years and some over 80 years of age; that there are only three women on the list of justices of the peace for the Burgh of Kirkcaldy; and, in view of the setting up of juvenile courts in Fife and other administrative work that has to be undertaken by justices of the peace, will steps be taken to remedy this state of affairs?

Mr. ELLIOT

My Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, is aware that the County of Fife possesses several justices who have reached advanced years, and he is at present in communication with the Lord Lieutenant of the county on the question of appointing additional justices in the county, and especially for the juvenile courts. If there is a special need for women justices in the Burgh of Kirkcaldy that fact will, I am sure, be taken into consideration when the Lord Chancellor comes to settle the new appointments.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

Are not these gentlemen particularly suitable for juvenile courts, as presumably they are now approaching second childhood?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a judge's job is an old man's job?

34. Mr. WESTWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there is an advisory committee for justices of the peace for the county of Fife; what are their names; when last they met; when the list of justices of the peace for the burgh of Kirkcaldy was last added to; whether the list of suggested additions to the list of justices of the peace for the burgh of Kirkcaldy has yet been considered by the advisory committee, the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and the Lord Chancellor; and, if so, when the new list of justices of the peace will be issued?

Mr. ELLIOT

There is an advisory committee to advise my Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, in the appointment of justices of the peace for the county of Fife, and the committee has recently held a meeting and submitted a list of names to the Lord Chancellor for additional appointments to the Commission of the Peace, the last appointments having been made in November, 1934. With regard to the recent list of recommendations, the Lord Chancellor is further consulting the Lord Lieutenant and the advisory committee, and, therefore, I regret that at the moment it cannot be stated when the new list of justices will be issued. I will, with the permission of the hon. Member, circulate the names of the advisory committee in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. WESTWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these consultations have now been carried on for over 18 months, and can he not get something more definite than the answer he has given as to when these appointments will be made?

Following are the names: