§ MR. MORGAN HOWARD (Camberwell, Dulwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, by reason of existing Circuit arrangements, many of the Judges of the High Court are withdrawn four times yearly from the Metropolis to the Provinces, where much of their time is occupied in disposing of criminal cases, of which a large number are within the jurisdiction of Courts of Quarter Sessions; whether the consequent diminution of judicial strength in the Metropolis leads to a serious arrear of untried causes, and to loss and detriment to suitors; and, whether the Government contemplate an early alteration of present Circuit arrangements, or intend otherwise to provide for more speedy and continuous trial of actions in the Metropolis?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. BROADHURST) (Birmingham, Bordesley)In reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman I have to say that the Secretary of State has made inquiries, and he does not find that much of the time of the Judges on Circuit is spent on Quarter Sessions cases. New Circuit arrangements have very recently been made with a view to the best distribution of judicial time between the Metropolis and the Provinces; and the Lord Chancellor and the Judges keep the subject always under their attention with a view to any alterations which may from time to time appear desirable and practicable.