§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Attorney-General how many justices of the peace there are now; how many there were five, 10, 15 and 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe total numbers of active justices of the peace in England and Wales, in January of the years mentioned and rounded to the nearest hundred, was as follows:
- 1989 — 28,200
- 1984 — 25,800
- 1979 — 24,000
- 1974 — 21,500
- 1970 — 19,300(the earliest year for the figures are avilable)
I welcome the opportunity to record the Lord Chancellor's appreciation of the voluntary work done by increasing numbers of justices, drawn from all ages, communities and backgrounds up and down the country. They make an essential and much appreciated contribution to the administration of justice.