HC Deb 28 January 1998 vol 305 cc254-5W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the role of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in relation to its role as final court of appeal for Commonwealth countries and UK dependencies. [25506]

Mrs. Ann Taylor

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council hears appeals and applications for leave to appeal from the final courts of appeal of those independent Commonwealth territories which have retained the appeal to the Privy Council upon attaining independence, and the dependent territories. The Committee also hears appeals from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the President of the Council if she will list the number of cases dealt with by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement. [25577]

Mrs. Ann Taylor

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has heard the following number of appeals and applications for leave to appeal in each of the last 10 years:

Year Appeals Petitions
1998 43 50
1989 63 47
1990 64 47
1991 53 54
1992 54 65
1993 59 63
1994 68 55
1995 69 69
1996 85 99
1997 82 82

Mr. Salmond

To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the role of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in reviewing legislation from the parliaments of(a) UK dependencies, (b) the Isle of Man and (c) the Channel Islands. [25507]

Mrs. Ann Taylor

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has no jurisdiction to review the legislation of the Parliaments of UK dependencies, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands other than in its appellate capacity in particular cases.