asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent regulations of his Department prevent magistrates' courts being held during evening hours; and if he will draw attention to the desirability of evening sittings.

It is for the justices in each division to arrange at what times they will sit, and there are no Home Office Regulations to hinder evening sittings. On the contrary, I should be glad to see further use made of the power to arrange such sittings in places where they would suit local convenience.?

Would the right hon. Gentleman circularise magistrates to that effect, because it is a very important matter, and such a change would give considerable facilities to people who cannot otherwise appear in court?

I hope that the publicity given to this matter by the Question and answer will suffice. They will presumably be reported in the law journals, and my experience is that magistrates rather resent receiving circulars dealing with the arrangement of their own private business.