HC Deb 27 February 1964 vol 690 cc610-1
14. Mr. Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to enable justices of the peace to claim reasonable allowances in lieu of loss of wages.

Mr. Brooke

This matter was raised on the Second Reading of the Administration of Justice Bill on 29th January, and it may well be discussed further by the Standing Committee which will shortly be starting its consideration of that Bill.

Mr. Wainwright

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that information. Will he take into account the fact that many justices of the peace who attend to their duties are now sufferiing because of loss of income? Is he also aware that there are many who cannot attend to their duties because of loss of wages and that there are also many people who would make very capable justices but who are reluctant to allow their names to go forward because they cannot afford to lose wages while attending court?

Mr. Brooke

Representations of that character were made on Second Reading of the Administration of Justice Bill, which, of course, provides for the first time subsistence allowances for justices. It would not surprise me if some hon. Member moved an Amendment to the Bill and if that happened I would consider all that would be said. The hon. Member would not like me to reach a decision until I have heard the arguments.