§ 77. Mr. Lipsonasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the present practice by which all divorce cases outside the poor persons limit are heard only in London, is causing great inconvenience and loss of time to witnesses called to give evidence, and especially to medical superintendents of mental hospitals summoned to give evidence under the Matrimonial Causes Act; and will he arrange for divorce cases outside the poor persons limit to be tried at local assizes?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe divorce cases which may be heard at assizes are not only those in which poor persons are engaged, but all those which are undefended. The question whether defended cases should be capable of being heard at assizes has been frequently considered. It is not possible in present circumstances to arrange for this to be done.
§ Mr. LipsonMay I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether, owing to the calls which are now being made upon people, he will consider introducing a change of this kind; and, further, can 1404 he give an assurance to the House that there is no vested interest in certain members of the Bar?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. The difficulties are largely those of accommodation, procedure and the existing pressure of assize work. While I appreciate what my hon. Friend says with regard to the effect of the war on one side of the problem, I think he will appreciate that the war has also depleted the staffs and put extra work upon those engaged in the administration of justice, and it would be impracticable to contemplate the changes which this suggestion would involve at this time.