§ MR. WADDYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to the 75th section of "The Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1873," which provides 23 that a council of the Judges of the Supreme Court shall assemble at least once in every year, at a time fixed by the Lord Chancellor, to consider the operation of the Act, of the rules of Court, and other matters, and shall report annually to one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State what, if any, amendments or alterations it would in their judgment be expedient to make in the Act, or otherwise relating to the administration of justice; whether the Lord Chancellor has ever fixed a time for the holding of such annual council; whether such annual council has in fact ever been held; and, whether such reports have been duly made at any time since the passing of the Act; and, if so, whether he will lay them upon the Table of the House?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY, in reply, said, that he had been informed that since the passing of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act rules of Court had been passed from time to time, all of which rules had been laid before both Houses of Parliament, in conformity with the requirements of the Act. Councils of the Judges of the Supreme Court under Section 75 of the Act of 1873 were held on November 20, 1876, and again on December 15, 1877; and at these councils it was determined that sufficient time had not been given for the working of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act to render it expedient to make any alteration or amendment which could not be carried into effect without the authority of Parliament.