§ 47. Sir John Mellorasked the Attorney-General why applicants for appointment by the Lord Chancellor as Commissioners for Oaths are required to provide evidence that they are well affected to His Majesty's Government.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Hartley Shawcross)The form of certificate that the applicant "is a person of integrity 25 and well affected to His Majesty's Person and Government" is traditional. In the context, I do not think that this certificate could be regarded as having any political connotation, its intention being to endorse the applicant's loyalty to the King and Constitution as by law established.
§ Sir J. MellorWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the references to His Majesty's person and His Majesty's Government are clearly severable in the document; and will he give an assurance that if references to His Majesty's Government are deleted from the customary form in a particular case the applicant will not thereby be prejudiced?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI should not be prepared to give any assurance about a particular case until it arises.
§ Mr. MikardoCan my right hon. and learned Friend say when this form of words was introduced?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am afraid I cannot say when it was introduced, but it has been in use for a very long time.
Mr. E. P. SmithIf such applicants were asked to display their good affection to His Majesty's Government, and did so, would not that prima facie be a case for considering them unsuitable as Commissioners for Oaths?