§ Lord Rawlinson of Ewellasked Her Majesty's Government:
1268WAOn how many occasions during the past 12 months has (a) a division of the Court of Appeal; (b) a puisne judge of the High Court, given judgment by merely handing down a written decision and without giving open and public judgment.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)In the Court of Appeal Civil Division it is the practice to deliver a reserved judgment involving important or involved questions of law or fact by means of a typed or printed judgment which is handed to the parties and the press. However, even these are read out in open court if they are of general public interest. The figures are not collected and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. I am not aware of any judgment that was delivered in writing only and not orally in open court in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division or in the High Court during the last 12 months.