§ Mr. Dobbieasked the Attorney-General whether he will state the present position with regard to the proposed appointment of official shorthand writers in the Supreme Court; whether he can inform the House when the scheme will be put into operation; whether he can state the terms on which the working shorthand writers are to be employed; and whether the House will be given an opportunity of discussing the official scheme?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am informed by my Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor 2229W that it is hoped that the formalities connected with the formation of the Association to accept the responsibility of providing official shorthand writers in the Supreme Court contemplated by the committee presided over by Mr. Justice Atkinson will be concluded before the 30th July next. In that event it may be possible to bring the scheme into operation at the beginning of next term. The terms of employment referred to in the third part of the question will be a matter for the Association. I understand that there is no suggestion of any material alteration in existing rates. The last part of the question is not for me to answer but an opportunity would no doubt occur when the necessary estimate is presented to the House.