Scotland and Wales Bills: Privy Council Judicial Committee Appeals

HL Deb 30 July 1998 vol 592 c220WA

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who will determine the composition of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for hearing each particular appeal under the provisions of the Scotland Bill and the Government of Wales Bill. [HL2885]

The Lord Chancellor

Responsibility for determining the composition of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council lies with the Lord Chancellor. However, for many years it has been the policy of successive Lord Chancellors in practice to delegate this responsibility to the senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. Thus it will be for him to determine which members of the Judicial Committee sit in the Privy Council to hear cases under the provisions of the Scotland Bill and the Government of Wales Bill.