§ 59. Sir HUGH O'NEILL (for Mr. CROOM-JOHNSON)asked the Attorney-General whether in view of the delays which are taking place in the trial of actions in London in the King's Bench Division and the denial of justice resulting therefrom, it is possible to increase the existing number of King's Bench judges; and if he will take the necessary steps for that purpose?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALMy right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor is not satisfied that the state of business in the King's Bench Division is such as to justify His Majesty's Government taking steps to increase the number of judges. 33 Such delay in the trial of causes in London as exists is due partly to the obsence of judges on circuit and partly to illness. Steps have already been taken to deal with the situation. A Commissioner has been despatched on the Oxford Circuit, and Lord Darling and two Judges of the Court of Appeal are assisting in the King's Bench Division. Further steps of a like nature will be taken if circumstances appear to require them.
§ Mr. THORNEOn a point of Order. The hon. Member for North Newcastle-on-Tyne (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) also rose to put this question. Is it not a fact that you gave a Ruling some time ago that no hon. Member could put a question on the second round unless he had permission from the Member who put the question on the Paper. I should like to know which of the two hon. Members had permission to put this question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI took it for granted that the hon. and learned Member who had the question on the Paper had been very generous in asking Members to put it for him.