HC Deb 26 November 1948 vol 458 c1571

Amendments made: In page 2, line 29, leave out "whether" and insert "either."

In page 2, leave out lines 30 and 31.—[Mr. P. Noel-Baker.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

Earl Winterton

I want to ask only one question of the right hon. Gentleman. Though I have made some exploration, I have been unable to discover the meaning of the phrase: a judge of a Chartered High Court in British India other than that at Nagpur. Could the right hon. Gentleman explain that?

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

This is rather a matter of history. Since its creation the Nagpur Court has always been regarded as of inferior status to the other Chartered High Courts. It was the last to be created; it was the smallest of the Chartered High Courts; and the chief justice and the puisne judges drew lower rates of pay and pension. Consistent with that principle, the I.C.S. judges who serve in the court do not qualify for the additional £200 per annum under the Bill, and in consequence we have excluded them from Subsection (1, b).

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.