HC Deb 24 March 1914 vol 60 cc179-80
27. Mr. J. HOGGE

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any representations have been made on behalf of the Scottish Office to Lord Kennedy to lower all rents irrespective of whether the subjects concerned were too low rented or too high rented?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

Certainly not. No such representations have been made. The Land Court is an independent tribunal, and it would, of course, be quite improper for me to make even a suggestion of the nature indicated in the question.

Mr. HOGGE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the words in the latter part of my question are quoted directly from the speech of the hon. Member for West Perthshire, who alleges that these instructions were given to Lord Kennedy?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I believe some such statement was made.

Mr. NEWMAN

Does Lord Kennedy act in his judicial capacity, or is he merely a tool of the Radical party?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

No; that suggestion is an extremely offensive one. Lord Kennedy is as much an independent judge as any other judge in Scotland, and his rank is that of a judge of the Court of Session.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Is the hon. Member in order in imputing dishonest motives to a judge of the High Court?

Mr. SPEAKER

Certainly not. I am sorry to say that I am not sufficiently acquainted with the law of Scotland, and the Judiciary, to know exactly in what position Lord Kennedy is. If I had thought that he was in the same position as a puisne judge in this country—

Mr. MACPHERSON

So he is.

Mr. SPEAKER

I should have stopped the question.

Mr. MACPHERSON

May I point out, Mr. Speaker, that Lord Kennedy's status is by Statute that of a puisne judge of the High Court?

Mr. SPEAKER

If that is so, then the observation was a most improper one to make. It shows how very undesirable it is to fire off supplementary questions without giving me an opportunity to see them.

Mr. NEWMAN

I am in the same position as yourself, Mr. Speaker. I am really seeking information. The question was a very curious one, and I wanted information about it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."]

Mr. SPEAKER

It is possible to ask for information in a more courteous manner!