§ MR. DARLINGI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in consequence of the insufficiency in the provision of Courts at the Royal Courts of Justice, a Judge was, on three separate occasions, between Easter and Whitsuntide last, unable to give his attendance in Court; and whether the Government have under their consideration any plan for providing more adequate accommodation at those Courts?
§ MR. ASQUITHIn my opinion Lincoln's Inn Old Hall is a very convenient and proper place for the purpose, and very much more convenient than any of the Royal Courts of Justice. Why a Judge is sitting there I do not know. I was not aware of the absence of a Judge on the occasions referred to by the hon. Member, or of the insufficiency of necessary accommodation. I understand that, with the two Courts which now sit at Guildhall, the additional room which has been fitted up as a Court in the Royal Courts, and the Old Hall of Lincoln's Inn, which has been placed at the disposal of the Judges by the Benchers, there is an adequate number of Courts for all the requirements of business. I am informed by the Lord Chancellor that, following the recommendations of the Judges, arrangements of judicial business are in progress which will materially diminish the pressure now occasioned at intervals during the sittings.