§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Attorney-General the number of justices who have resigned from the magistrates bench as a result of his recent communication; and whether it is proposed to take further action?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am not clear to what recent communication my hon. Friend refers. On 1st January, 1938, my Noble Friend Lord Hailsham, then Lord Chancellor, by a circular letter invited those justices who had become ineffective either by reason of absence, old age or infirmity to resign their office or to place their names upon a supplemental list. This circular was reinforced by a further 1283W circular issued by my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor on 22nd November of last year. Since the issue of Lord Hail-sham's circular, the names of 1,488 magistrates have been removed from the Commission, of whom almost all have been so removed at their own request, and presumably in consequence of the circular. In addition the names of many magistrates have been placed on the supplemental lists, but as these lists are kept locally by the official who has charge of the Commission, the number is unknown to my Noble Friend. The scrutiny of the lists of existing magistrates proceeds constantly with a view to seeing whether they contain the names of those who should be invited to resign or to place themselves upon the supplemental lists.