§ Lord ROBERT CECILasked whether, including cases to be tried before special juries, common juries, without juries, and in the Divisional Court, there are now upwards of 650 matters awaiting hearing in the King's Bench Division; whether the Civil Paper is five months in arrear; whether a large proportion of His Majesty's judges will shortly be absent from London on circuit; and what steps the Government propose to take to remedy this state of things?
§ Sir SAMUEL EVANSThe number of actions awaiting hearing in the King s Bench Division atnisi prius is 688, while the number of cases awaiting hearing in the Divisional Court is 131. The "Civil Paper" is, as the Noble Lord states. in arrear, and a number of judges will shortly be absent from London on circuit. As regards the last part of the question, I am not in a position to add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Monday last.
§ Lord R. CECILMay I ask whether the Government propose to repeal that clause 2 835 of Magna Charta which provides that to no loan will the Crown deny or delay right or justice?
§ Sir SAMUEL EVANSWe have no intention to that effect, but perhaps the Noble Lord will put a question to the Prime Minister on the subject.