HC Deb 26 July 1937 vol 326 c2664
58. Sir W. Davison

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the recent statement by the Lord Chief Justice that it was intolerable that public time should be wasted and the attention of judges distracted by judicial note-taking in longhand, owing to the failure of the Government to supply shorthand writers to the courts; and whether, having regard to the delay in the administration of the law thereby caused, steps will be taken at an early date to deal with the matter?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward (Treasurer of the Household)

I have been asked to reply. Steps have already been taken so as to introduce a system of shorthand reporting in the courts and, as stated by my hon. and learned Friend in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on 21st July, this is expected to be in operation in October.

Sir W. Davison

So that this may take place without fail, will my hon. and gallant Friend draw the attention of his hon. and learned Friend to the fact that there are arrears of some 700 cases in the King's Bench Division at the beginning of the present session, and that these arrears are rapidly increasing?

Sir A. Lambert Ward

I think that my hon. and learned Friend is well aware of these facts.

Sir W. Davison

It has been going on for a long time.