§ 51. Mr. Tinkerasked The Attorney-General how many justices of the peace have accepted resignation on the understanding that they retain the honour of J.P. but do not sit on the bench?
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Terence O'Connor)If the hon. Member is referring to the number of justices who have applied to have their names placed upon the Supplemental List, I would remind him that justices who take this course do not resign from the Commission of the Peace. They remain justices, and are available for the performance of all the ministerial duties, though they do not sit on the bench. In England and Wales, excluding Lancashire, the number, so far as I am able to ascertain, who have taken this 26 course, is approximately 415. I regret I cannot give exact figures as not all the counties and boroughs have, so far, reported the number.