HC Deb 26 January 1966 vol 723 cc78-9W
Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Attorney-General, in view of the new and additional duties in future to be placed on the county court judges to hear and determine certain divorce cases, which will greatly increase their work and responsibility, whether it is his intention to increase their numbers and their remuneration.

The Attorney-General

There is no reason to suppose that the extension of undefended divorce jurisdiction to the county courts will impose significant additional burdens on the judges, by whom the vast majority of undefended cases have been heard since 1947. If a need for more judges arises, I have no doubt that my noble friend the Lord Chancellor will take steps to secure their appointment. The change in divorce jurisdiction does not in itself provide any reason for an increase in the remuneration of the judges.