§ Dr. PETERSasked the Attorney-General whether consideration will be given to the question of introducing legislation to fix an age limit for magistrates who shall be allowed to sit and adjudicate, so that magistrates of over the age of 80 years or 75 years, or as may be determined by Statute, may retire from active administration of the law whilst still retaining the title of justice of the peace?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALThe Lord Chancellor does not consider it desirable816W to introduce legislation as suggested in the question, as it is inexpedient to establish a rigid rule fixing the age at which justices of the peace, who give their services voluntarily, should retire. It is the duty of advisory committees to inform the Lord Chancellor from time to time of those magistrates who are no longer able to fulfil their responsibilities, and when this information reaches the Lord Chancellor such action is taken as is appropriate to the particular case. It must be borne in mind that there are many other duties to be performed by justices in addition to administering justice in court which can suitably be performed by men of advanced age.