§ SIR GEORGE BOWYERasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether Her Majesty's Government have decided on discontinuing for the future the ancient degree and dignity of Serjeant by refusing to grant the coif?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALSir, in answer to the Question of the hon. Member, I have to state that the selection of gentlemen for the degree and dignity of Serjeant at Law does not rest with the Government, but with the Lord Chancellor, who is alone responsible for the selection he may make. Under these circumstances, my hon. Friend will, I think, see that I am not in a position to give any more definite answer to his Question. I may, however, mention that by the 8th section of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act of 1873 it is enacted that no person appointed a Judge of that Court should thenceforth be required to take or to have taken the degree of Serjeant at Law.