§ 85. Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that it is the practice of all the divisions of the Court of Session to suspend their sittings for half a day whenever a meeting of the Faculty of Advocates is called; can he say how many times this occurs in the nine months' sittings of the Courts; is he aware that this practice costs litigants large sums in counsels' fees and otherwise; and will he, in order to make litigation cheaper for the 2092 public in war times, introduce legislation this Session rendering this practice illegal?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Munro)The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, some of the Courts adjourn for a few hours on the occasion of the anniversary meeting of the Faculty of Advocates. With regard to the last part of the question, in the circumstances stated it does not seem to me that legislation is either necessary or expedient.
§ Mr. WATTHas the right hon. Gentleman formed any estimate of the cost to the public of this adjournment for two hours, which he says takes place, in order that the Faculty of Advocates may meet?