§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the qualifications for the position of petty sessions clerks; how many are there in England and Wales; what are their respective qualifications and ages; and what supervision is kept over the discharge of their duties.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)Subject to special provisions in some local Acts, a clerk to the Justices of a petty sessional division or a borough must be a barrister of not less than 14 years' standing, or a solicitor, or must have served for not less than seven years as a clerk to a police or stipendiary magistrate or to a Metropolitan magistrates' court or to one of the magistrates' courts of the City of London; in addition, a person is eligible for appointment if he has served for not less than 14 years as an assistant to a justices' clerk where in the opinion of the Justices there are special circumstances rendering such an appointment desirable. There are at present 778 clerks to justices in England and Wales. I have no detailed information as to their qualifications and ages. A clerk to justices holds office during the pleasure of the justices.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not a fact that there are at present a number of survivals of unqualified men from a previous period; will the Home Secretary see that in future, in view of the responsible and technical nature of the work, only qualified men are appointed; and will he revise these appointments which are occupied at present by unqualified men?
§ Mr. EdeI desire to see people with the best possible qualifications appointed, but I have no power to revise the type of appointment to which my hon. and learned Friend refers.