§ 2. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Attorney-General why solicitors who are justices of the peace are forbidden to print the initials J.P., after their names on their notepaper.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am not aware that solicitors are forbidden to print the initials J.P. after their names on notepaper. I assume, however, that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the practice of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and his predecessors in office to discourage the use of these initials on business notepaper. Where a case of this kind is brought to the notice of the Lord Chancellor, my noble and learned Friend causes a letter to be sent to the justice concerned explaining that in his opinion the use of the letters on firms' notepaper is undesirable as it may lead to the suspicion that the office of justice of the peace is being made use of to further the professional interests of the person concerned.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan my right hon. and learned Friend say whether a similar letter is addressed to company directors who advertise the fact that they are J.P.s when issuing prospectuses for new shares, or whether a similar expression of view is conveyed to local party political leaders who invariably use the initials J.P. after their names in connection with their local political activities?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Question asked about solicitors, and what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has just put to me does not arise out of that Question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan my right hon. and learned Friend say whether it is only solicitors who are subject to this form of advice?