Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 27 Gorffennaf 1923.
This is what was said in the Divisional Court with regard to a particular Judge:
Here the Judge seems to have thought that it was a matter for him to say whether the case should be tried with or without a jury. The ground for this decision seems to have been that the lists of the Court happened to be very congested, and if the case was tried by a jury the trial of other cases would have to be postponed.
In this case a distinguished Judge came to the conclusion that these people should be deprived of their right of trial by jury. I appeal to the House and to the Government to reconsider this matter, and I do so with all the more confidence because I think it is the universal desire of the profession, and in the interests of the citizens of the country. I think we should be doing a wise thing to go back to the old system, and I do not think any adequate reason has been advanced for any change. I hope the Government will conclude that this matter is one which ought to be left to a free vote of the House.