§ MR. BAXTERasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If his attention has been drawn to the disproportionately large number of Judges in Scotland and Ireland as compared with England and Wales; and whether any measures are in contemplation for reducing the number in the two first-named Countries?
§ MR. CALLANasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If his attention has 490 been drawn to the disproportionately large arrears of business in the Superior Courts of Law in England and Wales as compared with Ireland and Scotland, whereby great inconvenience is caused to suitors; and whether any measures are in contemplation for increasing the number of Judges in the two first-named Countries?
MR. GLADSTONESir, I do not see any direct connection between these two Questions. The implied statement of my right hon. Friend (Mr. Baxter) is that there is an excessive and disproportionately large number of Judges in Scotland and Ireland. The other Question states that there is a considerable arrear of business in England. With regard to the disproportionately largo number of Judges in Ireland, that is a matter which was dealt with by the late Government in a measure which is now the law of the land. A certain number of reductions were provided for by that measure, and we are carefully watching its present and prospective operation. The Government are considering what measure should be taken for reducing the number of Judges in Scotland. As to the arrears of the business in the Courts in England, there is no doubt such arrears do exist; but it is quite another question as to whether they are due to any deficiency in the number of Judges. There is now a measure under consideration which, I hope, will have the effect of very considerably increasing the judicial power in England, and it is to the operation of that measure, and to the good arrangements made by the body of Judges, that we must look in the first instance for any diminution of the arrears.