HC Deb 05 April 1960 vol 621 cc188-9
36. Mr. Boyden

asked the Attorney-General if, in view of the difficulty of obtaining complete information about the occupations of magistrates appointed in 1959, he will obtain this information from a limited number of representative areas.

The Solicitor-General

No. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has no difficulty in obtaining all the information he requires.

Mr. Boyden

Could not the Lord Chancellor consider obtaining information along the lines suggested by the Royal Commission so that Members of the House could judge whether salary-earners and wage-earners are being appointed to the bench, as was recommended in the Report of the Royal Commission on Justices of the Peace?

The Solicitor-General

My noble and learned Friend does obtain information about the occupations of those who are recommended for appointment. They do not fit in with the category set out in the Royal Commission's Report. Indeed, we do not really know the basis on which they were categorised. If the hon. Gentleman wishes for more information, we shall, of course, be glad to provide it.