§ Mr. RENDALLasked the Prime Minister whether, and, if so, when, it is the Government's intention to appoint a Joint Committee of both Houses to consider the expediency of giving jurisdiction to a limited extent in divorce and matrimonial cases to certain county courts in order that the poorer classes may no longer be deprived of legal remedies now only open to persons of means?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs my hon. Friend is aware, the Lord Chancellor has announced that there would be an inquiry into the matter to which he refers. The form of such inquiry is now under consideration, and, though I am not in a position to make a definite announcement, I think it not improbable that the terms of 270 reference may include the whole question I of the working of the Divorce Laws. I should hope that the body which conducts the inquiry might be empowered to make an interim Report as to the giving of jurisdiction in these cases to county courts.