HC Deb 30 April 1913 vol 52 cc1210-1W
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Attorney-General if the attention of the Government has been directed to the case of Lind v. Saleeby and the "Pall Mall Gazette," which occupied a judge and jury sixteen days; what has been the cost to the State of this trial and how much will be recovered from the plaintiff, who herself occupied several entire days; and whether any means exist or will be devised by His Majesty's Government to make it impossible to convert the Courts of Justice into theatres for the discussion of abstract issues and places of advertisement for the professors of particular scientific or other beliefs?

Sir RUFUS ISAACS

I have seen the reports of this trial in the public Press. No extra cost has been caused to the State by this trial. If the Court had not been occupied with that action it would have been engaged in the trial of other cases. It is for the learned judge who presides at the trial to decide whether the opinions of professors are relevant to the issue and should be given in evidence.