HC Deb 08 August 1911 vol 29 cc957-8
Mr. HAYDEN

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the statement recently made by two of the High Court judges in Ireland that the arrears of cases in the courts are attributable to the undermanning of the Irish Bench; whether, in view of this statement, he will have prepared and published a Return setting forth the number of days each year during the past three years in which each of the Irish High Court judges attended in court, and the hours at which business commenced and terminated on each day; and whether he will give a list of the commissions and other public bodies of which any of these judges are members, or have been members during the past ten years?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Lord Chancellor informs me that during the hearing of a recent case in the Court of Appeal, the absence of the two Lords Justices of Appeal on circuit was given as the reason why the postponement of the hearing of another branch of the same case became unavoidable. The judges have been in attendance in Dublin or on circuit for the discharge of business arising in their respective courts on all occasions as required, and have often sat much beyond the appointed time. It would not be possible to furnish, with any approach to accuracy, the further particulars asked for in the question. I must not, however, be taken as agreeing with the inference that the Irish Bench is at present undermanned.

Mr. HAYDEN

Can the right hon Gentleman say whether the judges frequently rise long before the appointed time?

Mr. BIRRELL

Sometimes, no doubt, they rise before the appointed time, but, then, they sometimes sit beyond the appointed time, and between the two justice is done.

Mr. HAYDEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to the Commissions?

Mr. BIRRELL

Well, I really have no information as to the list of Commissions or other public bodies of which the judges are members.

Mr. HAYDEN

Are they not fairly numerous?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not know. I should imagine that probably they neglect these duties.