§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what dates since 1945 the maximum number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary has been revised; to what figure on each occasion; and whether the number in office has ever been less than the maximum (save for short periods between appointments). [HL1680]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)The maximum number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary has been increased from seven in 1945, to nine in 1947, to 11 in 1968 and to 12 since 1994.
It has been a commonplace occurrence to have fewer Lords of Appeal in Ordinary than the maximum figure allowed for in the legislation. For instance, there were never more than 10, and on occasion fewer, Lords of Appeal in Ordinary in post between 1968, when the maximum was increased to 11 by the Administration of Justice Act 1968, and March 1992, when the noble and learned Lord, Lord Slynn of Hadley, was appointed as (the eleventh) Lord of Appeal in Ordinary.