§ 26. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Attorney-General if he can state what official is responsible for convening the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for the performance of its judicial functions and what official is responsible for convening the House of Lords when that House is sitting as the final Court of Appeal; and whether he will introduce legislation limiting the exercise of judicial functions by members of the House of Lords and of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to members who are under 70 years of age?
§ The ATTORNEY - GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)The composition of the House of Lords when sitting judicially and of the Judicial Committee is determined on any particular occasion by arrangement amongst the Lords and others who are qualified to sit on these tribunals. The answer to the second part of the question is, certainly not. The effect of the hon. Member's suggestion would be to deprive both tribunals of the assistance of judges of the greatest learning, skill, and experience, whose services to the State are of the greatest value, and without whose help—which in many eases is rendered without payment —the tribunals could not exercise their functions.
§ Mr. LANSBURYHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman ever appeared as a prisoner before one of these excellent, over-age judges?