§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the evidence which has been sent to him that indicates that membership of masonic lodges is detrimental to the fair and efficient exercise of their responsibilities by judges in the courts, the Lord Chancellor will make it a condition of the appointment of judges that they are not members of such bodies.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. The conditions for appointment to, and tenure of, judicial office are prescribed by statute, and no Minister has power to modify these or add to them. The independence of the judiciary from the Executive, thus guaranteed, is a principle of great constitutional importance.