§ * MR. REESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that persons summoned as defendents in county courts are generally required to attend at 9.30 a.m.; that such persons frequently learn, after losing a day in waiting, that the plaintiff has not paid the hearing fee, and that the case is struck off; and whether, in order to the saving of time of witnesses and parties, he will appoint some individual in each county court whoso duty it would be to inform parties and witnesses as early as may be that their further attendance is not required.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have no jurisdiction over county courts and have no power to appoint their officers, but I will communicate the question to the Lord Chancellor, who will no doubt cause such inquiries to be made as may be necessary.