§ Clause 1, page 1, line 8, after ("barrister") insert ("or solicitor").
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I beg to move that this Amendment be now agreed to. The Amendment is a very simple one. In the Bill we proposed that the Clerk of Assize should be a barrister of five years' standing. That has been altered to "barrister or solicitor of not less than five years' standing." It is obvious that the position of Clerk of Assize should in practice be held by a barrister. It has been held by a barrister almost without exception. There was an exception once, for a short time in 1915. Fortunately, we have a Lord Chief Justice in whose wisdom and sagacity we can all completely rely. It would be an evil day for this country if we ever had any other type of Lord Chief Justice. The effect of this Amendment is simply to enlarge the scope of his choice and we may be certain that he will use that choice wisely.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.