§ 12. Mr. CROOM-JOHNSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in actions brought in other European countries on judgments obtained in English courts certain foreign courts claim the right to examine into the grounds of such judgments and do not follow the practice of the English courts in actions brought therein on judgments of foreign courts; whether there are any conventions dealing with such matters between this country and any, and, if so, which, European countries; and whether he is prepared to consider the question of making representations through the proper channels to the Governments of the countries concerned with the view of obtaining reciprocal treatment in the matter?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe matter to which the question relates has engaged the attention of my Department and of the present Lord Chancellor and his predecessor, who appointed a small committee, presided over by Lord Justice Greer, to investigate it. This committee reported that, in order to remedy the existing unsatisfactory state of affairs, it would be necessary to conclude treaties with foreign countries providing for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments, and that legislation in this country was necessary before such treaties could be concluded. The committee made certain suggestions as to the form which such legislation should take, but recommended that before any Bill was drafted preliminary discussions should take place with one or two foreign Governments, and these discussions will take place very shortly.