§ Major HURSTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, regard is had to war services; whether he will state the number of new magistrates appointed in July, 1919; and how many of that number served the State overseas during the late war as officers, as non-commissioned officers, and as rank and file, respectively?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am informed by the Noble Lord the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who has asked me to take this question on his behalf, that twenty borough magistrates and thirty-two county magistrates have been appointed in July, 1919, in Lancashire. He is not quite certain as to the military service of some of these gentlemen and is making inquiries, the result of which he will communicate to the hon. and gallant Member. Generally speaking, the desire of the Chancellor of the Duchy in appointing new magistrates is to give full weight to meritorious services rendered to the State, especially in regard to war service. But in the first instance the special qualifications for the1826W administration of justice have to be considered, and wherever such experience is combined with service overseas the Chancellor of the Duchy will appoint ex-soldiers as far as possible.