§ 29. Mr. Manderasked the Attorney-General what steps are being taken to appoint women justices in the 36 county petty sessional divisions and the three borough divisions which are still without any women justices?
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Terence O'Connor)The attention of the advisory committees has been drawn to the desirability of ensuring the presence of women justices in all divisions, and before additional appointments are approved the question of the availability of suitable women for such appointment is carefully considered.
§ Mr. ManderWill the hon. and learned Gentleman say what is the reason for this long delay in making these appointments? Is it that there are no suitable women living in these areas at all?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe fact is that it rests in the hands of the advisory committees, and the pressure now indicated is being brought. The hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that since he asked a similar question on 10th February, the numbers have been reduced to 33 in the case of petty sessions and two in the case of boroughs.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not a fact that the Lord Chancellor can, if he likes, act without the advisory committees at all?
Viscountess AstorAre there any women on the advisory committees, and will my hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that there are over 30,000 men Justices of the Peace and only slightly over 3,000 women, and that it is certainly absurd?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralIn answer to my Noble Friend, it is, of course, the case that there are women on these advisory committees, and when the matter comes to my Noble Friend he invariably takes into account the representation of women on the local benches. With regard to the hon. Gentleman's question, no doubt my Noble Friend has certain powers in reserve, but for a precise definition of them I should like to have notice.