§ 36. Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list in the Official Report the responsibilities of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in respect of which he answers parliamentary questions.
§ The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Biffen)I shall answer questions on behalf of my noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster that relate to his Duchy of Lancaster responsibilities.
§ Mr. AtkinsI thank my right hon. Friend for his copious answer. May I pursue with him a question about the magistracy? Bearing in mind the unique way in which magistrates are appointed by the Duchy, is my right hon. Friend entirely satisfied that people living in the area are fully aware of the ways and means of becoming magistrates in the county palatine?
§ Mr. BiffenIf they are not, I very much hope that this exchange between my hon. Friend and myself will enable them to be so aware. I can assert that the system of appointment is very similar to that operated by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor throughout the rest of the United Kingdom.