HC Deb 07 November 1945 vol 415 cc1259-60
18. Mr. Keeling

asked the Attorney-General how many Members of Parliament sit as magistrates in their own constituencies.

The Solicitor-General (Major Sir Frank Soskice)

This information is, I am afraid, not available and to obtain it would necessitate making inquiries from the clerks to nearly 1,000 Benches.

Mr. Keeling

If I send the learned Attorney-General Press reports of two recent cases in which Members of Parliament are said to have sat as magistrates in their constituencies, will he investigate the matter further, especially as the Lord Chancellor is opposed to Members of Parliament being appointed as magistrates in their own constituencies?

The Solicitor-General

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this is peculiar to the province of my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, but I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of my noble Friend, who will communicate with him.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

How many Members of Parliament on this side of the House are not magistrates only because the selection committees are dominated by their political opponents?