Dr. Morganasked the Attorney-General whether he can give the age of the two magistrates who formed the Appeals Committee of the county of London on Tuesday, 2nd June; and will he take steps to ensure that no justices over 65 years of age shall serve on appeals committees?
783W
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Appeal Committee of the Quarter Sessions for the County of London did not sit on 2nd June. If my hon. Friend refers to the committee who, on 9th June, heard the case of Berstein and Berstein, London, Ltd., to which reference appears to be made in another Question standing in my hon. Friend's name, that case was heard by a committee of three justices consisting of the chairman of the court and of two chairmen of Petty Sessional divisions who served as representing those divisions in accordance with Section 8 (2) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Appeals) Act, 1933. There is no power to ensure that justices over the age of 65 shall not serve on Appeal Committees, and my Noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor does not think that it would be desirable to impose an age limit of 65. Official records of the ages of magistrates are not kept and though the information may be available in some cases in books of reference my Noble Friend feels it would be invidious to give information which can be obtained from such sources.