Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 27 Gorffennaf 1923.
It must be a satisfaction to my right hon. Friend who introduced this Bill to feel that, although the Bill comprises some 22 Clauses, there is only one that has been the subject-matter of any serious criticism. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman who has just spoken said, the Bill is excellent, I understand, subject to quite minor Amendments, in every respect except as to the Clause which deals with the question of juries. The hon. and learned Member for Middleton (Sir R. Adkins) did refer to one point in connection with the power to dispense with the holding of Assizes in places where they are considered unnecessary, but I think that, perhaps, he overlooked the fact that that is only to be decided by the Lord Chancellor, and I think it is a reform which, generally speaking, has commended itself to all those who have considered the question. The serious matter, however, that has been discussed by the House is Clause 2, which deals with the essentially British institution of the jury. As the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Spen Valley (Sir J. Simon) pointed out, of course everyone will recognise that the Bill does not deal at all with the question of juries in criminal matters; it is entirely confined to the question of juries in civil matters. Also, in spits of an observation of my hon. Friend the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood), which was, perhaps, not intended to have the effect that it did have—namely, his question whether this Clause deals with juries in County Courts—there is a Clause in the Bill which is certainly an extension of the existing right to have juries in the County Courts.