§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the number of women presently serving as justices of the peace;
(2) what is the total number of persons presently serving as justices of the peace;
(3) what is the number of persons serving as justices of the peace who are over 65 years of age.
§ Mr. RifkindThe number of women serving as justices of the peace as at 1 September 1981 was 785. The total number of persons serving as justices of the peace as at 1 May 1981 was 4,999. There are 2,418 justices aged 65 or over.
§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the names of those persons serving as justices of the peace in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district, Strathkelvin district and Bearsden and Milngavie district.
§ Mr. RifkindI have placed in the Library lists which give the names of persons currently holding offices as justices of the peace in the districts of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Strathkelvin, and Bearsden and Milngavie.
61W
§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for appointing justices of the peace; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindJustices of the peace are mainly appointed by my right hon. Friend, on the advice of the JP advisory committees which he has appointed for this purpose in each district and islands area. The committees advise him both as to the need for new appointments and as to suitable candidates for appointment. In addition, each district and islands council may nominate up to one quarter of its members to serve as ex officio justices; such persons hold office as justices so long as they remain members of the authority and continue to retain the authority's nomination. My right hon. Friend is generally satisfied with the present arrangements, but if the hon. Member has any particular question to raise about these appointments, perhaps he would write to my right hon. Friend about it.