§ 49. Mr. Marcus Samuelasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the desirability of justices of the peace retiring in certain circumstances, he will consider the holding out of some inducement to this end by way of permitting those who do retire to continue the use of the title J.P. with the suffix (Retired), as is done in regard to the members of some other public services?
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is now engaged in considering certain proposals with regard to the retirement of justices of the peace; but the suggestion of my hon. Friend is not one which is likely to be entertained, as justices of the peace have no title as such. A justiceship of the peace is not a title of honour, nor is the office conferred as a reward for past services, but as an opportunity for future services, and the use of the letters J.P. as equivalent to a decoration is to be deprecated.