§ 37. Mr. Whitakerasked the Attorney-General whether he will take steps to provide that magistrates appointed prior to 1964 have some compulsory training.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo, Sir. There are probably some 12,000 justices of the peace now sitting who were appointed before 1964, and it would be quite impracticable to require them now to undertake training and provide the necessary facilities. In any event, it would not be possible to impose now upon these magistrates an additional obligation which they were not asked to accept at the time when they were appointed.
§ Mr. WhitakerIs it not the fallacy of the present voluntary system that, whereas most progressive magistrates are anxious to undergo these courses, it is just those magistrates most in need of exposure to modern ideas who do not attend any training courses?
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is, however, the case that the further training of all justices which has been recommended is being carried out satisfactorily and that part of the work is continuing.
§ Mr. CarlisleWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that there is feeling among magistrates that the clerk of the court in which they sit is not the best person to give the preliminary training to new magistrates, as this tends to make them too dependent upon him later?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have no reason to believe that the compulsory training of justices, which has been in operation since 1st January, 1966, is not proceeding satisfactorily, but I will look into the point mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.