§ [The Question was as follows:—To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will bring to the notice of the clerks of petty sessional divisions the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Social Services.]
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERI am obliged to the noble Viscount for giving me an opportunity of making a statement as to the means to be taken to bring the recommendations of the Summary Courts (Social Services) Committee to the notice of those responsible for the administration of the law. It may be expected that many magistrates and their clerks will read the Report itself. I understand that 1201 about 1,300 copies have already been sold, which suggests that many of those interested are taking steps to acquaint, themselves with the nature of the recommendations. The practice usually followed by the Home Office in matters of this kind is to issue a circular to the justices and their clerks, summarising the main points of a report and making suggestions as to any changes of practice which may be desirable. My noble friend will of course recognise that some of the recommendations of the Committee cannot be carried into effect without legislation. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State is giving the Report his careful consideration, and he authorises me to say that he will bear in mind the desirability of issuing a circular or circulars on the subject to courts of summary jurisdiction as soon as circumstances permit.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I should like to ask a question arising out of the reply given to the noble Viscount. I think it is evident that his intention was that magistrates should be acquainted with the contents of this Report Clearly the Government cannot provide every magistrate with a copy—that would be too expensive—but would it not be possible for the Government to send a copy of the Report to the clerk of every magistrates' court, rather than a mere circular? In a circular it would not be possible to give the reasons for the main recommendations, but I think the point of the noble Viscount would be met more adequately if the Home Office were able to send a copy of this Report to every clerk with the natural suggestion that the attention of the magistrates who sit in his court should be drawn to this document.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, in reply to that question, I will certainly communicate that suggestion to my right honourable friend; but, as I mentioned in the course of the statement which I read, he is now considering whether it is advisable to send all circulars on the matter to courts of summary jurisdiction. But, as it has not been the custom hitherto to send these Reports, the noble 1202 Lord is proposing something which I think is new, but I will certainly bring it to the attention of my right honourable friend.