§ Mr. William Wilsonasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the progress made by the Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions.
§ The Prime Minister:Yes. I am informed that the Royal Commission have now received the greater part of their evidence. They feel, however, that before they decide on their recommendations as to the administration of justice at Assizes and at Quarter Sessions outside London they ought to be in a position to consider the effect these might have on the Courts in Greater London and also on the County Courts, and have asked that their terms of reference be extended to enable them to do so. I have therefore recommended to The Queen that the Commission's Terms of Reference should be revised and Her Majesty has been pleased to approve that they be amended as follows:
To inquire into the present arrangements for the administration of justice at Assizes and at Quarter Sessions outside Greater London; to report what reforms should be made for the more convenient, economic and efficient disposal of the civil and criminal business at present dealt with by those courts and to consider and report on the effect these will have 454W on the High Court, the Central Criminal Court, the Courts of Quarter Sessions in Greater London and the County Courts throughout England and Wales.