Lay justices' allowances
Courts Bill [Lords]
10:45 am
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 17, in
clause 15, page 7, line 22, at end insert
'and are to be reviewed by the Lord Chancellor at least at five yearly intervals to consider the effect of inflation on these allowances.'.
Again, I can be quite brief. The amendment is intended to probe the Government on lay justices' allowances. In a debate earlier this morning, I referred to the debt that we all owe the lay magistracy for their dedication. Requiring consideration of allowances at least every five years—one could express that as once a Parliament—would be no bad thing. It is important to encourage people to continue to volunteer for the vital role of justice of the peace. At least reviewing their out-of-pocket expenses every five years would assure anybody who became a JP and provide useful assistance. I am sure that the Treasury mandarins have told the Minister not to concede the point under any circumstances, but it is well worth probing.