HC Deb 07 June 1901 vol 94 cc1324-5
MR. PHILIPPS (Pembroke)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether his attention has been called to the fact that at the last county court at Haverfordwest Judge Bishop tried to stop a witness giving evidence in Welsh, saying that Welsh-speaking witnesses ought to be drowned, and whether he will bring this matter under the notice of the Lord Chancellor.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir ROBERT FINLAY,) Inverness Burghs

I have made inquiries with regard to this matter. I am informed that the learned judge did not try to stop a witness giving evidence in Welsh, but expressed some surprise at having a Welsh-speaking witness at Haverfordwest, where English is generally spoken. Any other observations which the learned judge made were of a jocular nature, and were so received by those who heard him.

MR. BRYN ROBERTS

Was not this judge appointed because, according to his own showing, he knew Welsh?

MR. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.