§ MR. J. G. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the tenure under which the members of the High Court of Justice in Rhodesia hold their judicial positions, and what will be the tenure of the future members of that judiciary; and, by what authority will judges of the Rhodesian High Court, be appointed in the future?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, WestThe judges hold their office during pleasure, but can only be removed by a Secretary of State. It is not proposed to alter this, nor to change the mode of appointment, which is by the Company, with the approval of a Secretary of State.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAt whose pleasure is the appointment held; it is at the pleasure of the Crown, of the Company, or at the pleasure of the right hon. Gentleman himself?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESSubstantially, the appointment will be held as under similar circumstances here, only that the person through whom the pleasure of the Crown is made known is the Secretary of State. Judges will only be removed with the approval of the Secretary of State.
§ MR. T. BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)Are they servants of the Crown or of the Company?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESThey are appointed by the Company with the approval of the Secretary of State.
§ MR. BAYLEYThen they are servants of the Crown?
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDo I understand that in future the judges will be appointed by the Crown and not by the Company?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESIn future judges will be appointed exactly as hitherto; they will be appointed by the Company, with the approval of the Secretary of State. The approval of the Secretary of State is necessary before the appointment is valid.