§ Mr. Priceasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that Circular No. 689289 was issued from his Department on 9th November last year advising an improvement in salaries of justices clerks' assistants, nothing has been done in the matter; and whether he proposes to take any further steps?
§ Mr. PeakeMy hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that the Home Office circular to which he refers has had no effect. My right hon. Friend is informed that the matter has been considered in a good many petty sessional divisions and in some cases the salary of the clerk to the justices has been raised so as to meet additional expenditure including the remuneration of assistants. The responsibility rests in boroughs with the justices of 1707W the borough, and in counties with the standing joint committee of the county, and beyond the advice given in the circular which drew special attention to the position of full-time assistants, my right hon. Friend regrets that in present circumstances there is no action that he can take.