§ Sir E. GRAHAM-LITTLEasked the Attorney-General on what grounds a qualified solicitor who has paid his annual practising duty under the Solicitors Act, 1932, is excluded from arguing his clients causes before His Majesty's judges: and whether, as every solicitor has to pass an examination at least equal to that required from barristers and also to pay an annual duty of £9 for the privilege of practising, he will take-steps to enable qualified solicitors to have rights of audience in all His Majesty's courts co-extensive with those of barristers?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALEnglish barristers have an exclusive right of audience as advocates in the Court of Appeal and in all sittings in open court of the High Court, except in bankruptcy. This is partly by common law and partly by Statute. Legislation would be required to carry out my hon. Friend's suggestion, and I see no sufficient reason for its introduction.