HC Deb 17 May 1956 vol 552 cc2289-90

7.30 p.m.

Mr. Grimond

I beg to move in page 21, line 38, to leave out "three" and to insert "eight".

The Chairman

I think that this and the next Amendment, in page 21, line 43, to leave out "forty-two" and to insert "forty-seven" might be discussed together.

Mr. Grimond

This is a matter which we have already discussed, and the proposal in these Amendments may commend itself to the President of the Board of Trade.

I assume that at some time in our proceedings it was hinted that more judges might be needed for the Court. It may seem to smack rather of English nationalism because no similar increase is designed for Scotland. I feel that is rather a vulnerable point. However, if the Government should feel that more judges are necessary for the Court of Session, the necessary arrangements could, no doubt, be made at a later stage. It is not clear how much work there will be in England compared with Scotland, but it has been indicated that perhaps more judges may be needed.

Mr. Walker-Smith:

These Amendments are consequential on a previous Amendment which was moved for the purpose of increasing the judges to a minimum of three and a maximum of eight. That Amendment did not commend itself to the Committee. But there was another Amendment moved by the hon. Member for Sheffield, Park (Mr. Mulley), the broad effect of which was to give power to increase the number of judges in the Restrictive Practices Court subject to a Statutory Instrument to be approved by Parliament.

That Amendment was accepted in principle, and so, in the next stage of the Bill, we shall be in a position whereby it will be possible to increase the number of judges in the Restrictive Practices Court as need may develop. However, it is not, at any rate at present, thought necessary to increase the maximum number of judges of the High Court under the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, because it is felt that if an increase in the number of judges in the Restrictive Practices Court were necessary the requirements could be met by this procedure.

Mr. Grimond

As this matter is to bc. discussed at a later stage, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 27, 28 and 29 ordered to stand part of the Bill.