§ MR. NORWOODasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed in this Session with the Bill transferring the jurisdiction and business of the London Court of Bankruptcy to the Supreme Court of Judicature, viz., " the Supreme Court of Judicature Acts Amendment Bill; " whether the Government have received a Petition from Citizens of London, praying that the judge to be appointed under the provisions of that Dill shall be a commercial lawyer of high standing and experience; and, whether before the passing of this Dill imposing the expense of an additional judge upon the Country, the Government will give an assurance to the House that the prayer of the said Petition shall be fully considered and acted upon.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir JOHN HOLKER), in reply, said, it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the Bill. That Bill did not appoint an additional Judge, but gave power to appoint one. The Petition from the citizens of London on the subject had been received; and he could assure the hon. Gentleman that, before the Government made the appointment of an additional Judge, the recommendations contained in that Petition would be carefully considered.
§ MR. RATHBONEasked, Whether the Government would proceed with the Dill in case they did not go on with the Bankruptcy Bill?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir JOHN HOLKER)Certainly; there are many provisions in the Dill which have nothing to do with the Bankruptcy Bill.