§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (The Earl of HALSBURY)My Lords, the object of the first clause of this Bill is to 1497 provide that a person, if otherwise qualified, may be appointed a justice of the peace for any county, notwithstanding that he does not reside in the county, if he resides within seven miles thereof. The present arrangement whereby it is impossible to appoint a person as a justice of the peace unless he resides in the county has given rise to considerable inconvenience, which it is found desirable should be removed. The Bill also gives the Lord Chancellor power to exclude from the exercise of his functions as justice of the peace any person who holds that position by virtue of holding another office. This is to provide for the removal of persons found to be unfit for the exercise of judicial duties. Two very serious scandals recently took place, and it was found absolutely necessary that there should be the same power of removal in the case of ex officio justices as exists in the case of justices appointed to the Commission of the Peace in the ordinary way. Those are the only two provisions of the Bill, and I ask your Lordship to give it a Second Reading.
§ Moved that the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ EARL SPENCERMy Lords, I am not aware of the difficulties that have arisen with regard to justices who sit by virtue of holding or having held another office; but, with regard to the first clause, I heartily support the proposal contained in the Bill. I have had a great many cases brought before me where great difficulty has been experienced in getting magistrates under the present arrangements, and the proposed amendment of the law will be a great advantage.
On Question, Bill read 2a (according to Order) and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.