HC Deb 23 February 1960 vol 618 c161
1 and 2. Mr. Boyden

asked the Attorney-General (1) how many male justices of the peace appointed in 1959 were wage earners; and what percentage this was of the total number of men appointed in 1959;

(2) how many married women justices of the peace appointed in 1959 were wives of wage earners; and what percentage these appointments were of the number of women appointed in 1959.

The Attorney-General (Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller)

The information asked for is not readily available and I do not think that the work and expense involved in obtaining it would be justifiable.

Mr. Boyden

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Royal Commission on magistrates went to very considerable trouble to make an occupational analysis and to make recommendations that a more representative section of the community should be appointed magistrates? How can these facts be obtained and how can we know what the advisory committees are doing in this matter if we have not got the statistics?

The Attorney-General

Records are not kept of the occupations of the husbands of the married women appointed magistrates.

Mr. Boyden

Surely figures are kept of the male magistrates?

The Attorney-General

Figures are kept of the male magistrates but are not divided into wage and salary earners.