§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state for England and Wales and the Metropolitan Police Force, respectively, the authorised establishment, the strength, and the actual deficiency at the last convenient date.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe figures for 31st May, 1958, which are the latest available, are as follows:
Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Acts, 1895 to 1949.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerYes. As I envisaged in my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 6th February, I have now set up an expert Committee to advise me on certain proposals which have been made 23W to codify and improve the existing law. The members are:—
- Mr. Justice Arthian Davies (Chairman.)
- Mr. A. F. Stapleton Cotton.
- Mr. L. H. Crossley.
- Mr. E. Hughes, C.B.E.
- Mr. J. K. T. Jones, C.B.E.
- Lady Littlewood.
- The hon. Member for Lewisham North.
- Mr. H. H. Maddocks, M.C.
- Mr. R. R. Pittam.
- My hon. Friend the Member foe Epsom.
- Mr. J. Whiteside.
The Committee's terms of reference are:
To consider a draft Bill designed to replace the Summary Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Acts, 1895 to 1949, and certain related enactments; and to report whether, in the opinion of the Committee, the provisions of the draft Bill, either as referred to the Committee or with such amendments as they think proper to suggest, would constitute a convenient, workable and up-to-date system of law relating to matrimonial proceedings in magistrates' courts