HC Deb 31 July 1934 vol 292 cc2455-6
22. Mr. THORNE

asked the Attorney-General whether he can state the number of petitions for divorce heard in 1932, 1933, and to the nearest available date in 1934; and the reason why one divorce court will be compelled to sit on Saturdays?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)

The number of petitions for divorce heard in the years mentioned in the hon. Member's question are as follow:

  • In 1932–4,268.
  • In 1933–4,299.
  • In 1934–2139 in London.
The figures for Assizes during the present calendar year are not available. As regards the remaining part of the question, owing to the indisposition of one of the Judges of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division the time allotted to the undefended divorce list was curtailed and the other Judges of the Division were anxious to make every effort to clear this list.