asked the Prime Minister the number of judges, including Lords of Appeal, who are at present serving on committees of inquiry appointed by the Government or Royal Commissions; and the average number of hours per week that they are absent from their judicial duties by reason of such inquiries?

There are two judges, including Lords of Appeal, now engaged on Royal Commissions or Committees of Inquiry: Lord Parker, who is presiding over the Committee of experts in the Marconi Inquiry; Mr. Justice Darling, who is serving on the Judicial Commission. Neither of them has been absent from his judicial duties by reason of such inquiries.

What is the use of appointing one additional judge to wipe out arrears of judicial business when you are taking two judges away from their judicial duties?

The hon. Gentleman did not listen to me. If he had done me the courtesy to do so, he would have known that I said that neither of them had been withdrawn for one moment from his judicial duties.