The Duke of MONTROSEasked His Majesty's Government whether they can indicate when the Report on the Justiciary and the Appointment of Justices of the Peace may be expected; and further, whether submissions by Lords Lieutenants for additional or new appointments can now be entertained.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Viscount Jowitt)I understand that the Commission are proceeding with the consideration of their Report and have made satisfactory progress. It is hoped that the Report may be ready for publication584WA in a few months. Until the recommendations of the Committee are known, I consider that new appointments to the Commissions of the Peace should be kept to their minimum, and I have accordingly asked my advisory committees to make no further recommendations except in urgent cases of real necessity. I am always ready and willing, however, to give sympathetic consideration to requests for new appointments in the cases of particular Benches which are clearly experiencing serious difficulties owing to a shortage of Justices available for duty.