§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the grave delay in his office in granting fiats for petitions of right; and, if so, whether steps can be taken to expedite the practice?
926W
§ Mr. SHORTTSo far as the Home Office is concerned, every effort is made to expedite the proceedings in dealing with Petitions of Right, but His Majesty's Fiat cannot be given as a matter of form or without enquiry; and it is necessary to refer to the Departments concerned for information as to the facts of the case and to consult the Law Officers as to the advice which is to be given to His Majesty with regard to the Petition.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Attorney-General how many Petitions of Right are now awaiting his fiat; what is the cause of delay in granting same: whether any of these applications for his fiat were refused pending the decision of the House of Lords in the De Keyser Hotel case; if so, have those fiats been granted; and, if not, why not?
§ Sir G. HEWARTThe fiat 'required for a Petition of Right is not the fiat of the Attorney-General, although he advises with reference to it. I am not aware of any such Petition now awaiting advice from me. Some applications for fiat were postponed in view of De Keyser's case in order to avoid multiplicity of proceedings. I have already advised that the fiat should in these cases be granted.