§ 84. Mr. SquireTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when last he visited the county palatine; and what were his official engagements there.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Evans) on 2 November.
§ Mr. SquireHas my right hon. Friend been able to assist some of the residents of the county palatine? Has he found, as I have found in my constituency, that although people are clear about the Government's defence policies, they are thoroughly confused about the Opposition's defence policies and wholly ignorant of those of the Social Democrats?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Supplementary questions must have some relevance.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That topic is way beyond the scope of the question.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettWhen the Chancellor is next in Lancashire, will he consider the appointment of justices of the peace? Does he accept that justices of the peace in the whole of the area for which he is responsible show a preponderance of people from middle-class and Right-wing backgrounds, rather than a good balance across the community? The right hon. Gentleman's predecessor gave a clear commitment in the House to ensure that more JPs came from working-class backgrounds within the area for which he was responsible. Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that that commitment is carried out?
§ Mr. BakerI do not accept the hon. Gentleman's criticism, because it is unfair. That aspect of my responsibilities is important. I presided at a magistrates meeting in the Wirral and I am anxious that people appointed to the honourable and important role of justice of the peace represent broad bands of society. I make every effort to ensure that that is the case, as do my advisers.