§ 49. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will take the appropriate steps to transfer jurisdiction in the matter of the appointment of Justices of the Peace in Scotland from the Lord High Chancellor of England, so that in future such appointments be made by the Secretary of State for Scotland on the advice of the Lord Advocate for Scotland; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject of such appointments?
§ The Prime MinisterJustices of the Peace in Scotland have been since 1707 appointed by the Crown by a special commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain, and the Royal Commission on the Selection of Justices of the Peace in their report of 1911 recommended that, as long as these appointments are made by the Crown, the Lord Chancellor as Keeper of the Great Seal is the most 916 suitable Minister to be entrusted with the responsibility of advising in the appointments to be made. In view of these considerations, I am not satisfied as at present advised, that a case has been made out for the change proposed by the hon. and learned Member.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction in Scotland with the present method of appointment, and has he had in view the fact that the functions of Justices of the Peace in Scotland differ from the corresponding functions in England?
§ The Prime MinisterI think this is the first time this question has been raised, but I think all those considerations have already been taken into account.