JUSTICES of the Peace (JPs) have called for the system to be retained beyond 1997 to protect the rights of inmates in institutions.
Some of the 781 JPs also wanted to retain the name, opposing the recommendation of the Preliminary Working Committee's (PWC) legal subgroup, which said last week that the title had colonial connotations.
Lady Jane Akers-Jones, wife of former chief secretary Sir David Akers-Jones, said: ''I can't see the title JP has any colonial connotations at all. It means to keep peace and it's not colonial in any way, therefore it should continue to be kept [after 1997].'' An unofficial JP since 1985, she inspects penal institutions and hospitals two or three times a year. Her most recent visit was to the Cape Collinson Correctional Institution in Chai Wan.
''Officials do take note of our views and they always write back to answer questions raised during the visit,'' she said.
She suggested the law be changed, requiring JPs to swear allegiance to the people of Hong Kong rather than to the Queen.
Official JPs are appointed by virtue of their posts or seniority in the Civil Service. Unofficial ones, of which there are 526, are named in recognition of their community service record.