§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the fact that Sir Barnes Peacock, a paid Member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, has been under the necessity, by reason of age and failing health, of proceeding abroad, under medical advice, at the beginning of the present month, and is not expected to return until the end of May, so that the learned Judge in question will thus only be in England during one-fourth of the Judicial Session of the Privy Council, which commences in November and ends in July; what provision is made for the performance of his duties during his absence; whether he receives his salary of £3,000 a-year, as well as his pension of £2,000 a-year from Indian Revenues, during his absence; and, what are the Rules applicable to cases of this kind?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)It is the fact that Sir Barnes Peacock is, under medical advice, going abroad, and is not expected back till the end of May. The difficulty of maintaining the simultaneous Sittings of the House of Lords and of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has been increased by Sir Barnes Peacock's absence; but it is hoped, with the aid of the other members, that the sittings of the Judicial Committee may not be suspended. He does receive his salary of £3,000 a-year as well as his pension of £2,000 from Indian Revenues during his absence. There are no Rules applicable to cases of this kind; but it is fair to add that Sir Barnes Peacock has been very rarely absent from the Judicial Committee.