§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Solicitor-General whether all advisory committees on the appointment of magistrates include representatives of each of the three political parties?
The SOLICITOR-GENERALAll advisory committees which have been reconstituted and appointed for fixed terms of office include representatives of the three political parties. There may be committees which have not been reconstituted upon which a particular political point of view is not represented, but every effort is being made, when the committees are re-constituted, to give them a representative character.
§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Solicitor-General if he will issue a list showing the number of all magistrates and justices of the peace for each county and county borough?
The SOLICITOR-GENERALThe preparation of a list showing the number of all magistrates and justices of the peace for each county and county borough would involve considerable expense. Moreover, as the situation changes day by day, the list would consequently be inaccurate before it could be issued, and in the Lord Chancellor's view it would not serve any useful purpose. I am unable, therefore, to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.