§ 39. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the present position with regard to the setting up of an appeal tribunal for the members of the British Commonwealth of Nations; 1872 and to what extent the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is now made use of?
Mr. M. MacDonaldAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the recommendations on the subject of a Commonwealth tribunal in the Summary of Proceedings of the Imperial Conference, 1930, where it was proposed inter alia that such a tribunal should be an ad hoc body appointed as occasion might require. No recourse has yet been had to a tribunal constituted on the lines proposed. As regards the second part of the question, which of course raises a different issue, the number of appeals from Dominions set down for hearing before the present Michaelmas session of the Judicial Committee is five from Canada and one from New Zealand.
§ Mr. ManderIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Dominions themselves are satisfied with the present position as regards an Imperial appeal tribunal?
Mr. MacDonaldThe only occasion when such a tribunal might have been helpful has arisen since the Conference of 1930, and I think that the circumstances surrounding that occasion are well known and need no further reference from me at Question Time.