HC Deb 21 January 1902 vol 101 cc464-5
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General, whether he will state what is the practice regulating the selection of judges to preside at trials in the Central Criminal Court, and by whom the Lord Chief Justice was selected to preside at the recent trial of Rex v. Krause.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (SIR ROBERT FINLAY,) Inverness Burghs

The rota for the attendance of His Majesty's Judges at the Central Criminal Court was fixed for the ensuing twelve months at the meeting of the Judges held at the commencement of the Michaelmas sittings, three Judges being selected for each monthly sittings of the Central Criminal Court. The rota so fixed is followed as far as possible, though absence on circuit, engagements on trials, and other special causes sometimes necessitate the attendance of other Judges than those fixed by the rota. The Judges selected at the meeting of October 24th last for the January sessions were the Lord Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Darling, and Mr. Justice Jelf. Whether one or more Judges attend is a matter of arrangement, having regard to the amount of business, and, in accordance with the usual practice, it was arranged by the Lord Chief Justice in the month of December that the Lord Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Jelf should both attend, and that the Lord Chief Justice should take the case of Rex v. Krause and Mr. Justice Jelf the other business.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Did the Lord Chief Justice appoint himself to preside at the trial of Dr. Krause?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is a very improper observation. It is improper to make reflections on the conduct of judges in their judicial character.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

It is quite proper, SIR, to institute a Motion with reference to the conduct of a judge.

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is quite another matter.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I shall institute a Motion immediately. (Cries of "Withdraw!") I will not withdraw.