§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT HALDANE)My Lords, I rise to move an Address for the appointment of an additional Judge, and I do so in consequence of an Interim Report which has been made by the Royal Commission over which Lord St. Aldwyn is presiding. The Commission, of course, do not prejudge the character of their final recommendations, but point out that owing to the illness of some of the Judges and the arrears of business which has accumulated the number of Judges now sitting—seventeen—is insufficient to overtake the business, and recommend the 409 immediate appointment of another Judge under the Judicature Act, 1910. Such an appointment can be made, but the Act says that on the next vacancy that vacancy shall not be filled up without an Address being moved by both Houses. This is the case of a temporary appointment without prejudice to the Final Report of the Royal Commission. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty representing that the state of business in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice requires that an additional Judge should be appointed to the said Division under the first section of the Supreme Court of judicature Act, 1910, and praying that His Majesty will be graciously pleased to appoint a new Judge of the said Division of the High Court of Justice accordingly.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly: The said Address to be presented to His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.
§ METROPOLITAN WATER BOARD BILL. [H.L.]
§ BROADSTATRS AND ST. PETER'S URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL BILL. [H.L.]
§ HUDDERMELD CORPORATION BILL. [H.L.]
§ LEICESTER CORPORATION BILL. [H.L.]
§ LIMERICK HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS BILL. [H.L.]
§ SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CORPORATION BILL. [H.L.]
§ Report from the Committee of Selection, That the following Lords be proposed to the House to form the Select Committee for the consideration of the said Bills; (viz.),
- E. Lovelace,
- L. Clinton (Chairman),
- L. Shute (V. Barrington),
- L. St. Levan.
- L. Stanmore;
§ LOTHIAN RAILWAYS BILL. [H.L.]
§ NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY BILL. [H.L.]
§ LEITH HARBOUR AND DOCKS BILL. [H.L.]
§ ARIGNA VALLEY RAILWAY BILL. [H.L.]
§ Report from the Committee of Selection, That the following Lords be proposed to the House to form the Select Committee for the consideration of the said Bills; (viz.),
- E. Stanhope,
- E. Cathcart,
- L. Zouche of Haryngworth,
- L. Kintore (E. Kintore) (Chairman),
- L. Byth;