§ 29. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Attorney-General for how many days the autumn assizes at Newcastle-upon-Tyne lasted; during how many days the learned judge was sitting alone; during how many days the judge and the commissioner were sitting together; and during how many days the commissioner was sitting alone; and whether he is aware of the inconvenience and expense caused to litigants and others by the delay in the appointment of the commissioner of assize?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir Boyd Merriman)The assizes lasted for 15 days excluding commission day and Sundays. The judge sat alone on five days; he was assisted by a commissioner on four days; and a commissioner sat alone on six days. As regards the latter part of the question, I am informed that a commissioner was despatched as soon as the Lord Chancellor was satisfied as to the necessity of doing so.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan my hon. and learned Friend give an assurance that there will be no recurrence of this unfortunate position, and will he state what was the cost to the parties concerned of this delay?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERALI could not possibly, without notice, state what were the costs. As to the earlier part of the question, I can only repeat that the Lord Chancellor, so I am informed, sent a commissioner as soon as he was informed of the circumstances.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWill my hon. and learned Friend give an assurance that there will not be any recurrence of this extraordinary state of affairs?