§ MR. WATTI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that Judges of the Court of Session and Sheriffs in Scotland frequently act as ordinary directors of trading companies there and receive remuneration for so acting; whether he is aware that a company called the Arizona Copper Company has a Judge on its ordinary board; that this company has several times been in litigation in the Courts; and whether, in future appointments of Judges and Sheriffs, he will make it a condition that they shall not accept such posts in trading concerns.
§ MR. ASQUITHI have no reason to suppose that the practice referred to by my hon. friend is of frequent 1736 occurrence, but I understand that the statement in reference to the Arizona Company is correct. I have already stated my view that participation by a member of the bench in the direction of trading concerns is highly undesirable.
§ MR. WATTWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my Question as to future appointments? Which is the most important—that a Judge or a Cabinet Minister should not be a company director?
§ MR. ASQUITHI think it more important the Judge should not.