HC Deb 26 March 1957 vol 567 c944
7. Mr. Timmons

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider taking steps to change the machinery for the appointing of justices of the peace for Lanarkshire.

Mr. N. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any reason for such a change.

Mr. Timmons

Will the hon. Member again consult his right hon. Friend in this matter? There is a great deal of dissatisfaction in Lanarkshire about the method of selecting justices of the peace. Is he further aware that advisory committees are made up of members of two political parties? Irrespective of a person's character and integrity, if he has no political associations there is absolutely no hope of his getting on to a justices of the peace list. Will the Minister have another look at the matter and again consult his right hon. Friend?

Mr. Macpherson

I shall be glad to ask my right hon. Friend to look at the matter again, but I can assure the hon. Member that it is not the case that the justices of the peace lately appointed came from only two political parties. The political opinions of some of them were unknown.

Mr. Lawson

Is the Minister aware that districts of very considerable size in Lanarkshire appear to be without justices of the peace? Will he see that those districts have their needs met in that connection?

Mr. Macpherson

This is a matter for the appropriate advisory committee, and I shall be glad to refer the matter to it.

Mr. Timmons

On a point of order. In view of that most unsatisfactory Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.