HC Deb 19 October 1966 vol 734 c56W
Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he makes for other persons to exercise any of his semi-judicial functions when he is out of the country.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Important functions of this sort would continue to be exercised by me. Modern communications make it possible for decisions to be taken as soon as the necessary information is available. It is however customary for a Secretary of State to ask another Secretary of State to act in his absence so far as some routine matters of a quasi-judicial nature are concerned.

Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to transfer all his semi-judicial functions to a judge sitting in chambers.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

No.