§ 31. Mr. KNIGHTasked the Home Secretary whether he has received, in accordance with the Statutes, the Annual Report of the Council of Judges on the administration of justice and its improvement, as suggested by experience; if so, when this Report was last received; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo such report has reached me since I became Home Secretary and I understand that the last re port received in the Home Office was made in 1920. I gather from such inquiries as I have been able to make that experience has shown that a Council of the Judges is not an appropriate or convenient body for the purpose in view and that the object of the Statute has in large measure been attained in another way by the development of the functions of the Rule Committee of the Supreme Court.
§ Mr. KNIGHTMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will represent to the Lord Chief Justice the propriety of setting an example of compliance with the law by taking the natural step of obeying the directions of the Statutes.
§ Mr. CLYNESI should be sorry to think that the Lord Chief Justice did not pay due regard to the authority of the Statutes, but the point is one on which I can consult the Lord Chancellor.