HC Deb 26 July 1968 vol 769 cc224-5W
Sir P. Rawlinson

asked the Attorney General (1) on how many days during the period 1st October, 1967 to 25th July, 1968, have the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively, sat judicially;

(2) on how many days between 1st October, 1967 and 25th July, 1968, have the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively, sat with one member of the House or Board who was not an appointed Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and with two members of the House or Board who were not an appointed Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, respectively.

The Attorney-General

In this period the House of Lords sat on 123 days to dispose of appeals, including four days on which the Appellate Committee sat in two Divisions. In addition, the Appeal Committee sat on 12 days to dispose of petitions for leave to appeal. During the same period the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat of 98 days.

The House of Lords sat on 24 days with one member who was not a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and on five days with two such members, while the Judicial Committee sat on 13 days with one such member and on 34 days with two such members.

Sir P. Rawlinson

asked the Attorney General how many causes have been heard and determined by the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively, in the period 1st October, 1967 to 25th July, 1968.

The Attorney-General

In this period the House of Lords heard 30 appeals, and gave judgment in 32. In addition, the Appeal Committee disposed of 45 petitions for leave to appeal. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council heard 24 appeals and determined 19, and disposed of 56 petitions for leave.

Sir P. Rawlinson

asked the Attorney General how many causes are outstanding in the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively.

The Attorney-General

In the House of Lords six appeals have been registered but not yet set down, and 18 have been set down but not yet heard. In five appeals judgment is awaited. In the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council 29 appeals have been registered but not yet set down, and six have been set down but not yet heard. In six appeals judgment is awaited; 14 petitions for leave are awaiting hearing before the Appeal Committee of the House of Lords and nine before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.