HC Deb 09 November 1966 vol 735 cc1311-2
46. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to provide that ex-Lord Chancellors no longer have the right to sit as Lords of Appeal unless specifically appointed as such.

The Attorney-General

No, Sir.

Mr. Whitaker

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that litigants are considerably disturbed as to the possible chances of litigation which may go on appeal to the House of Lords when ex-Lord Chancellors may communicate their views to newspapers on litigation on which they may be called to pronounce?

The Attorney-General

My hon. Friend can rest assured that my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor would not invite an ex-Lord Chancellor to sit judicially in any case on which he had already expressed an opinion elsewhere. Communication with newspapers is, of course, entirely a matter for the individual member of the judiciary concerned.