§ 31. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that prior to the Long Vacation the work at the Law Courts was much in arrears; and whether he will consider the advisability of creating three new Judges for the trial of cases outside London?
§ The SOLICITOR - GENERALMy right hon. and learned Friend is not aware that before the Long Vacation the work at the Law Courts was in arrear. The number of cases set down for hearing in the King's Bench Division at the commencement of the present Sittings was less than the corresponding number at any Michaelmas during the previous seven years. There were, on the other hand, slight increases in the number of cases set down for trial on that date in the Chancery Division and in Probate and Divorce, but my hon. and learned Friend has no reason to suppose there is 1842 any arrear in either of these. The aggregate of cases set down in all divisions is less than in any of the last seven years except 1923, when it was practically the same. My right hon. and learned Friend does not think the facts justify the adoption of the suggestion contained in the second part of the question.