HL Deb 13 December 1960 vol 227 cc372-4

2.48 p.m.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will consider building an extension to the Law Courts in the Strand upon the bombed site adjacent to the Divorce Courts, and so improve the accommodation available to Her Majesty's Judges.]

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT KILMUIR)

My Lords, this proposition is very much in my mind and I fully realise the need to improve and increase the existing court accommodation. Indeed, outline plans already exist for extending the Law Courts in this way.

But these plans were made some time ago and would not now meet all the requirements. I am in consultation with my right honourable friend the Minister of Works on the matter, which raises difficult questions, architectural and financial, and which may well decide the future of the Royal Courts of Justice for the next fifty years.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, may I thank the noble and learned Viscount for his very helpful answer? I am sure that he will absolve me from any desire to be impertinent in pointing out to him that, if his hopes can be realised, it will fulfil at least one of the basic principles of British justice: that justice should not only be done but also be seen to be done. The present accommodation in the Courts of Justice in the Strand really prohibits the public from seeing it, for if they find their way to the top attics, which are supposed to be courts of justice, when they get there often they are denied admittance because of the physical impossibility of getting them into these small rooms. I am sure that what the noble and learned Viscount has said will be received with great satisfaction as one step forward.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Viscount whether he will have a look at the question of utilising the vast central hall in the Law Courts? So far as I am aware, it has always been considered an architectural white elephant, and I do not think it has been filled since Queen Victoria opened the Law Courts. Is it possible that some use could be made of this valuable space?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I have considered the matter, and I have it very much in mind. There is only one minor correction of fact that I would make. When a much less important person opens the Law Courts at the beginning of each year that hall is always full. That is not really relevant to the noble Lord's point, but I thought I would mention it.

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, does not the noble and learned Viscount feel that it is rather a scandal that nearly 20 years after this destruction was done by the enemy this ground should still be in the condition it is?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I dealt with this matter in answer to the noble Lord, Lord Lucas of Chilworth, who raised it earlier. I said that the position which one can secure in the queue for building and expenditure is a difficult matter. I am not going into details, but I think everyone has felt that to get the priorities right in regard to houses, schools, factories, hospitals, technological institutions, universities and many other projects is a very difficult matter indeed. I can assure the noble Lord, Lord Chorlery, that I do my best to get a reasonable position in the queue, and I shall go on trying.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, perhaps I may be allowed to ask this quite simple question. If the Lord Chancellor's worst fears are realised, would he consider it proper that the vacant site should be disposed of for development and sold for the benefit of the taxpayer?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, at the moment my fears are not as bad as all that, and I hope they will not be. If they really descend to these terrible depths I will communicate with the noble Lord.

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, does the noble and learned Viscount think that if a Resolution of this House were passed to the effect that it is felt, not only here but in the legal profession as a whole, that the situation is in fact scandalous it would help him to get the priority to which he has referred?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I am not a great believer in the use of adjectives.