HL Deb 16 April 1888 vol 324 cc1291-2
LORD HERSCHELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he proposed to lay on the Table any Papers relating to the suspension by the Governor of Western Australia of the Chief Justice of that Colony; and what steps Her Majesty's Government intended to take in the case of so serious an interference by the Executive with the Judiciary.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Lord KNUTSFORD),

in reply, said, he was unable to give his noble and learned Friend any information with reference to the first part of his Question. According to a Paper presented to Parliament in June, 1870, on the removal and suspension of Colonial Judges, it appeared that the practice was to refer such matters to the Privy Council. In deference to that opinion, he had obtained the assent of the Lord President of the Council (Vis- count Cranbrook) to refer the case to a Committee of the Privy Council, and that Committee would sit for the first time on Wednesday next.

LORD HERSCHELL

asked if there was any objection to give the names of the Members of the Committee?

LORD KNUTSFORD

said, the Committee would consist of the Lord President of the Council, Lord Macnaghten, and himself.