High Court (Hansard, 27 November 1992)

§ Mr. John Morris
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many deputy High Court judges sat in the High Court during the week commencing 16 November; and of these how many were circuit judges.

Mr. John M. Taylor
There were 313 sittings in the High Court in London during the week commencing 16 November. Of these, 66 sittings were undertaken by deputy High Court judges, and 52 by circuit judges.

§ Mr. John Morris
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many High Court judges were available for sitting, and sat, in the High Court in the week commencing 16 November.

Mr. John M. Taylor
It has not been possible to obtain the information requested in the time available. I will write to the right hon. and learned Gentleman.

§ Mr. John Morris
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has for the appointment of more High Court judges.

Mr. John M. Taylor
In recognition of the importance of ensuring that there are sufficient judges, the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice have asked a group of senior judges, with officials of the Lord Chancellor's Department, to advise them on the work, deployment and numbers of High Court judges. Until that advice has been received, it would be premature to reach a view about the size of the High Court bench in present circumstances.