§ 22. Mr. McKEAGasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that each judge of the county court is only provided with one set of law reports, which are only available at one court on the circuit, in consequence of which judgments are frequently reserved; and, as this occasions delay and expense to litigants, will he consider the advisability of providing judges with additional sets of such reports?
§ Major ELLIOTI am aware that each judge of the county court is only provided with one set of law reports. I am not aware that this frequently causes judgments to be reserved which would not otherwise be reserved; but in any case the cost of providing additional sets of law reports would be disproportionate to any benefit to litigants.
§ Mr. McKEAGIn view of the general outcry for cheaper litigation would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not consider granting at least some additional facilities to assist our very hard-worked judges of county courts in their efforts to reduce the delay to a minimum?
§ Major ELLIOTI would point out that there is also a very general demand for economy.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the price of a set of law reports is very small, and that a few hundreds of pounds would provide the whole set?
§ Mr. GOLDIEWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that such a set of law reports is available in each and every assize town, for the use of His Majesty's judges?
§ Mr. CAPORNWould the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consult with the Law Officers about this matter, as it is impossible to argue important questions of law before a county court judge who has not available a report of the cases to which he is being referred?
§ Major ELLIOTIf hon. Members will provide me with any instances in which inconvenience has been caused, I shall be glad to look into them.