I raised the matter here on the last occasion of judgments of District Courts being placed in a position, under Section 14 of the Bill, so that they could be dealt with in the same way as mortgage judgments in the Circuit Courts. The Minister then expressed himself, I think, as personally in favour of inclusion, and promised to consider it in the meantime. I should like to know, on this particular stage, what opinion he has formed on the matter?
Circuit Court (Registration of Judgments) Bill, 1936—Final Stages.
Question proposed: "That the Bill be received for final consideration."
I made inquiries about that matter. An amendment could not have been introduced; it would not be in order, but I made inquiries to see if this matter could be met. I find that, so far as the machinery is concerned, it would be practically impossible to provide for it. There are 126 Circuit Court clerks in the country. It would mean setting up machinery in all those courts. It would be absolutely impossible. I suppose I should not say "absolutely impossible," but certainly it would be very difficult to do it. I have made inquiries from people who are in touch with this business and from bodies who are interested. They informed me that there is no hardship; that they have no case to make in favour of it, and that they do not ask for it.
The information I received was entirely different. As a matter of fact, the information given to me was that there were some very grave hardships. I was also led to believe by people who thoroughly understand the matter, that there would not be any difficulties in the way. After all, it was only a case of bringing District Court judgments on a particular count into the Circuit Court of the county for the purpose of registration. The persons concerned in this matter, who requested me to mention it, could not see any difficulties in the way. However, if the Minister does not introduce it I cannot do any more at the moment.
Question put and agreed to.
Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.