§ 29. Mr. Bartle Bullasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that some chairmen of quarter sessions are paid and that Income Tax is now high, he will arrange with county councils that chairmen who are not paid for their services should be remunerated, if not by a salary, at least by the payment of the expenses which they have properly incurred in the discharge of these public duties?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonApart from certain special statutory provisions in respect of the counties of London, Lancashire, Middlesex and Hertfordshire, the only chairmen of quarter sessions to whom salaries are payable are those appointed under the special provisions of the Administration of Justice Act, 1938, which provide for the appointment of legally qualified chairmen by the King on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor. The fact that salaries are payable to such chairmen could not properly be regarded as a ground for introducing a system of paying from public funds expenses incurred by lay justices, or by such lay justices as may be chosen by their colleagues to act as chairmen.
§ Mr. BullCould not the Home Secretary make some arrangement with the county council so that the chairman or deputy chairman could at least be remunerated or reimbursed in respect of out-of-pocket expenses for doing the job?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy impression is that the county council would not have power to make payments.
§ Mr. MorrisonNot without legislation.