Orders of the Day — ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BILL [Lords].

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 27 Gorffennaf 1923.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Thomas Inskip Mr Thomas Inskip , Bristol Central

It is in order to avoid such incidents, incidents ruinous to the client that it is desirable to modify in some respects the law as it existed before the War. I do not want the House to be under any impression that this Bill makes any serious inroads, or any inroads to any appreciable extent upon the rights of the litigant as they were before the War. It enlarges the rights as they exist to-day. If hon. Members reject this Bill the law will be left as it stands to-day, giving the litigant less privileges in regard to trial by jury than he will have if this Bill passes. It is quite conceivable that in Committee hon. Members may desire either to enlarge the Clause or to remove it altogether. They will have freedom of vote in accordance with the pledge which my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has given, which was, that if upon a free vote of the Committee they decide that this Clause should be deleted, the Clause shall be deleted. [HON. MEMBERS: "Who said that?"] That was the pledge that was given by my right hon. and learned Friend. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]