HC Deb 18 June 1907 vol 176 c323
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Procureur Général, Mr. E. K. Corbet, C.M.G., Messrs. J. L. Willmore and V. S. Alston, Judges of the Native Court of Appeal in Egypt, were originally appointed by the Egyptian Government without having had any previous legal training whatsoever; and whether he will advise the Egyptian Government to consider the advisability of placing them on the retired list.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I do not know what the legal training was in all these cases. I have no doubt that the qualifications wore considered when the appointments wore made, and I am not aware of any reason whatever for interfering with them.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Baronet not aware that those gentlemen know nothing whatever of law; that it is a Punch and Judy tribunal?

Sir EDWARD GREY

My information, especially with regard to one case, is directly to the contrary.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

And who is that?

SIR EDWARD GREY

Mr. Will-more. With regard to all, I have no reason to suppose that they are in any way not qualified for their duties.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Having regard to my responsibility for putting the Question, will the right hon. Gentleman take the trouble to inquire further?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I have no reason to think there is any need for inquiry.