§ Mr. RUNCIMANasked the Attorney-General if it is now the settled practice of the advisers of the Crown to give to the subject the opportunity, by way of petition of right, to bring before the Law Courts of this country all claims made in good faith against vessels owned or operated by the State, and for the Crown to accept and carry out the decisions of such Courts on all such claims?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALProceedings by way of Petition of Right, broadly speaking, only lie in matters of contract. In those cases a suppliant, subject to
A. Beer. Wines. Spirits. Gallons. Gallons. 1922 Gross … … … … 143,546 23,740 36,524 Per caput … … … … .160 .0264 .0405 1923 Gross … … … … 164,935 25,685 30,207 Per caput … … … … .183 .0285 .0335 1924 Gross … … … … 149,767 18,463 23,960 Per caput … … … … .165 .024 .0265 The figures in respect of 1925 are not yet available. 2376W
B.—QUANTITY OF RUM PRODUCED IN JAMAICA. 1922 … … … … … … … … 13,073 puncheons. 1923 … … … … … … … … 7,500 puncheons. 1924 … … … … … … … … 8,242 puncheons. 1925 … … … … … … … … Not available. obtaining His Majesty's Fiat, can bring such claims before the Law Courts of this country whether in respect of vessels owned or operated by the State or otherwise, and it is the practice for the Crown to accept and carry out the decisions of such Courts in pursuance of the provisions of the Petition of Right Act, 1860. Claims sounding in tort cannot he the subject of Petitions of Right. In such cases the plaintiff brings an action against the actual tort feasor personally. If the vessel in fault is one under or operated by the State, the action is defended at the cost of the State. Should judgment be given for the plaintiff in such a case it is the invariable practice of the Crown to accept and carry out the decision of the Court in the same way as if the action had been brought against a private owner.