§ 24. Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the tendency of magistrates in petty sessional divisions to delegate work to clerks to the justices on a part-time principle and to engage persons who, though permanently employed, have no contractual 2135 obligations as to salary, security of employment, superannuation, and other rights which normally apply to such persons in local government and the Civil Service; and whether he will take appropriate steps to remedy the hardship which falls on these officers?
§ Sir S. HoareThere are in England and Wales over goo Jerks to justices of whom only a small number—about 50 or 60—are full-time officials. Most of the others are solicitors in private practice who combine with such private practice part-time duties as clerks to justices. Some of the full-time clerks are already pensionable under local Acts, and there are in a Bill now before the House proposals for a general pension system for full-time clerks to justices. The question of giving a pensionable position to solicitors who combine with private practice part-time service as clerks to justices stands on a different footing, but I am considering what is the best method of bringing under review this and several related questions about the conditions of service of clerks to justices and their staffs.
§ Mr. WilliamsI am concerned about the officers, but I am more concerned about the persons whom the clerks engage, and perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will look into that matter also?