§ Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of barristers who have been appointed to salaried positions in the Departments of the Procurator-General and the Treasury Solicitor since the commencement of the War, and how many of these are of military age and fit for some form of military service; if the barristers employed on salary are allowed to carry on their private practice; and if it is asserted by the responsible heads of these Departments that among the members of the Bar who axe above military age or unfit for military service there are none expert or experienced enough to undertake the work being done by young barristers and so release the latter for duty with the Colours?
Mr. McKINNON WOODIn answer to the first part of the question, the number of barristers so appointed is twenty. As to the second part of the question, in addition to the seven mentioned in my answer of the 18th instant, there are four others fit for some limited form of service. The answer to the third part of the question is that private practice is not forbidden, but it is a condition that any private practice undertaken shall not interfere with Departmental work. As regards the fourth part, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer of the 18th instant.