§ 51. Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Prime Minister whether he will grant time to discuss the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Leicester with regard to certain statements of a partisan and political character made by Mr. Justice Darling in the course of a recent trial?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not see my way to give facilities from the time at the disposal of the Government for a discussion of the Motion referred to.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDArising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that an appeal has been entered on account of the remarks to which I have drawn attention, and that therefore unnecessary expense has been caused to the clients? May I further ask him if he remembers the judgment delivered by Lord Macnaghten in the House of Lords in February, in which he states: "A judicial tribunal has nothing to do with the policy of any Act it may be called upon to interpret"; and whether some steps could not be taken to communicate that to Mr. Justice Darling to remind him that he is a judge and not a politician?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf in the action referred to an appeal has been entered that is an additional reason for not expressing an opinion on that particular case. I am well aware of the judgment of Lord Macnaghten to which my hon. Friend has referred, and I can only say that it expresses very admirably and accurately the true character of the judicial function.
§ The PRIME MINISTERAt the end of the Session.