HC Deb 01 April 1901 vol 92 cc353-4
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Divisional Court of King's Bench has not sat for two terms, and what steps will be taken in the interests of suitors to prevent the continuance of this delay.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir ROBERT FINLAY,) Inverness Burghs

The question of my hon. and gallant friend must have been put under some misapprehension. The Divisional Court of the King's Bench has sat during both these sittings, but it is the fact that owing to the illness of judges, and the hearing of election petitions, the sittings have not been quite as frequent as usual, and it has not been possible to make the ordinary progress with certain parts of the business which come before that Court. The matter is receiving the careful attention of the Lord Chief Justice and the judges.

MAJOR RASCH

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that no Committee sat for the hearing of cases in the Special Paper in either the Michaelmas or Hilary terms?

SIR ROBERT FINLAY

It may be so. I believe that that is the part of the business which has been delayed.