§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Attorney-General, in view of the uncertainty as to whether an ex-mayor of a borough is entitled to continue to serve as a temporary magistrate for one year after the end of his term of mayoralty, what steps he intends to take to clarify the position?
§ The Attorney-GeneralUnder the Local Government Act of 1933 a mayor is a Justice of the Peace by virtue of his office, and continues unless he becomes disqualified to be a Justice of the Peace during the following year. In the case of a non-county borough the mayor is in addition a Justice of the Peace for the county during his year of office, but not for the succeeding year. I am aware that some uncertainty has arisen under the latter provision where the non-county borough has not a separate commission of the peace. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular case in mind I will look into it.