§ MR. COGHILL (Newcastle-under-Lyme)asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether, in view of the very small number of days in the year that the Law Lords sit, he could provide for their being employed (when they are not sitting to hear Appeals in the House of Lords) in relieving the great accumulation of business in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice; and, whether he is aware that other Peers sit as frequently as the Law Lords for 1243 hearing Appeals in the House of Lords, without receiving any salary at all?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)In reply to my hon. and learned Friend, I cannot agree that the Lords of Appeal sit a very small number of days in the year. On the contrary, having regard to the appeals in the House of Lords and Privy Council—in both of which tribunals the Lords of Appeal sit—it would, in my opinion, be impossible, as well as inexpedient, that they should undertake any part of the business of the High Court of Justice. It is not the fact that any Peers sit as frequently as the Lords of Appeal to hear appeals without receiving any salary at all.