§ 41. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that there are 1,220 actions pending in the Queen's Bench Division, 333 cases in the Chancery Division, and that the Law Courts have closed for a nine weeks' 337W vacation; and whether he will take the necessary action to shorten the Law Court vacations.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am aware that there are in fact about 900 cases awaiting trial in the Queen's Bench Division and 211 in the Chancery Division. The fact that the long vacation lasts for nine weeks does not, of course, mean that all the judges will be on holiday throughout this period, as some will be required to sit in criminal courts and others as vacation judges. Any alteration in the length of the vacations is a matter for my noble friend the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the judges.