HC Deb 14 October 1912 vol 42 cc772-3
43. Mr. HERBERT CRAIG

asked the Attorney-General whether the Annual Reports of the Council of the Judges of the Supreme Court, under Section 75 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1875 can be issued as Parliamentary Papers?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)

The Reports made in 1880 and 1892 were presented to Parliament in 1881 and 1894 respectively. The only other Report, that of 1884, was quoted almost entirely in an Order in Council of 26th June, 1884, which was presented to Parliament in the same year.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Is it not a fact that since the passing of the Statute in 1875, only three of these Councils have been summoned, although a statutory obligation rests on the Lord Chancellor to call one every year?

44. Mr. HERBERT CRAIG

asked the Attorney-General whether, seing that under Section 75 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1873, it is provided that a Council of the Judges of the Supreme Court shall assemble once at least in every year and report annually to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State as to any amendments or alterations which they may deem expedient for the better administration of justice, he will give the date upon which the last annual assembly of the Council of Judges was held and the date of their last annual report?

Mr. McKENNA

I am making inquiry into the matter and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement in my supplementary question on the last question is correct?

Mr. McKENNA

I believe so, but I would not like to say positively until I have had an opportunity of verifying the statement.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

And that not one meeting has been held since the right hon. Gentleman was called to the Bar?

Mr. McKENNA

I believe so.

Mr. KING

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the Attorney-General's Motion on the Order Paper will not be pressed until this matter is thoroughly settled?

Mr. McKENNA

I shall know, in the course of the afternoon, what the answer to the question is.