§ 34. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an error has been committed in treating 1079 the judges as servants of the Crown and subject to cuts in their salaries as though they were civil servants; and whether, in order to make clear the independence of the judges, as provided in the Act of Settlement and confirmed by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1925, he will take steps to ensure that the judges' salaries shall be paid in full as before, especially as it is in the national interest that the remuneration of judges should be adequate to secure the acceptance of the office by the best men at the Bar?
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my right hon. Friend aware that perhaps the greatest safeguard of the liberties of the people of this country under our Constitution is the complete independence of the judges of both the Crown and the Legislature; and does he think it desirable to continue to impose cuts in the salaries of the judges by Parliament as if they were part of the Civil Service administration?
§ Mr. BALDWINI do not see why a judge should be excused his cut any more than I am.
§ Sir W. DAVISONHas my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the remarks of the senior High Court judge, Mr. Justice Avory, who, being about to retire, has no personal concern, in which he said that the judges were performing their duties under the shadow of a grievous wrong, and does he not think that this matter should receive further consideration at the hands of the Government?
§ Mr. BALDWINThat cannot be entered into fully by question and answer, but I shall be perfectly prepared to debate the question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYAre we to understand from the question and the statement quoted that the execution of justice by the judges of this country depends upon the amount of money they get?