JUSTICES' CLERKS (Hansard, 23 October 1968)

§ The Attorney-General
I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.
1332 Perhaps it would be convenient to discuss at the same time Lords Amendments No. 8.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
If the House agrees.

§ The Attorney-General
I trust that these Amendments will be uncontroversial and that the events flowing from them will be less disturbing than those associated with the earlier Amendments. They relate to the functions of the clerks to the justices and they are made after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and 1333 with the agreement with the Justices' Clerks Association to meet points which were raised in another place. They make clear the extent of the functions of the justices' clerks. They have, I understand, attained the approval of the Clerks' Society and of the Magistrates' Association and I think that they will be of value to the clerks as a clear exposition of the range of their functions.
In relation to this matter, I once again express my gratitude to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Oakes), who has taken such an active part in this exercise. I do not think I need labour upon the range of duties which are now spelt out in the Bill. As I have said, they meet the approval of all concerned and have the blessing of the Lord Chief Justice and those who have responsibility in this work.

§ Sir P. Rawlinson
The right hon. and learned Gentleman will be relieved to hear that I will encourage my right hon. and hon. Friends to support him in this Motion. Indeed, without our support he might be in grave difficulty. I share his pleasure at the incorporation of this provision into the Bill and add by tribute to the hon. Member for Bolton (Mr. Oakes), who took a particular interest in this matter early on. The provision will be of great assistance to justices' clerks in defining the scope of their tasks and duties, which needed to be done. I commend both Amendments.

§ Mr. Oakes
When their Lordships confine themselves to improving legislation we have passed, they do a very good job, and I support these two Amendments. It is a pity that they do not restrain their instincts by confining themselves to such matters.