§ 58. Mr. D. Griffithsasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of recent statements by Major L. C. Soden, Chairman of the Slough Board of Magistrates, made when considering cases, he will take steps to remove Major Soden's name from the list of magistrates.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the practice of Major Soden, when presiding over the Slough bench, to require the previous convictions of persons found guilty by the magistrates to be read out in open court. The extent to which such previous convictions are disclosed lies entirely at the discretion of the magistrates hearing the case. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, in whom is vested the power to remove a Justice from the Commission of the Peace, is satisfied that Major Soden has acted within the limits of his discretion and that his removal from the Commission would not be justified.