Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1338

 1286 SPAIN

of the faculties of philosophy and letters, law, sciences, medicine, and pharmacy. There are, besides, a medical faculty at Cadiz in connection with the University of Seville, and in the Canary Islands an educational establishment dependent on the University of Seville. Government also supports various special schools. In 1918 the total sum expended on education and the fine arts was 76,758,479 pesetas.

Since 1902 the Government has sent scholars, teachers, and professors to foreign countries to study. Since 1910 there has existed a Board of Scientific Research (Junta para ampliation de estudios), which connects the work done abroad with the organisation of new laboratories in Spain, and publishes sets of books' which show the results obtained. Since 1910 this Board has started the foundation of Halls of Residence for students where an important educa- tional and a certain amount of scientific work is done. The total expenditure of this Board is 800,000 pesetas per annum.

Justice and Crime.

Justice is administered by Tribunales and Juzgados (Tribunals and Courts), which conjointly form the Poder Judicial (Judicial Power). Judges and Magistrates cannot be removed, suspended or transferred except as set forth by law.

The Judicature is composed of: — 1 Tribunal Supremo (Supreme High Court) ; 15 Audiencias Tcrritoriales (Divisional High Courts) ; 34 Audiencias Provinciales (Provincial High Courts) ; 521 Juzgados de Primera Instancia (Courts of First Instance); and 9,257 Juzgados Municipales (District Court, or Court of Lowest Jurisdiction held by Justices of the Peace).

The Tribunal Supremo consists of a President, three Courts of Justice and one for administrative purposes ; it is empowered with disciplinary faculties ; is Court of Cassation in civil and criminal trials ; decides in first and second instance disputes arising between private individuals and the State ; and hears criminal causes against Princes of the Royal Family, Cabinet Ministers, and Presidents of the Senate and Congress.

The Audiencias Territorialcs have power to try in second instance sentences passed by judges in civil matters, and in first instance all criminal trials of the province.

The Audiencias Provinciales are Courts competent to try and pass sentence in first instance on all cases filed for delinquency. In the most important ones evidence is taken by a jury composed of twelve lay judges.

The Juzgados de Primcra Instancia are presided over by one Judge acting in civil matters as Judge of First Instance, and in criminal matters as Jucz de Instruction (examining Magistrate).

The Juzgados Municipales are constituted of a Judge and two Deputy Judges. This Court is competent to try small civil cases not exceeding 500 pesetas (£20) in value, and petty offences.

Old Age Pensions.

By a law dated February 27tli, 1908, the ' Instituto Nacional de Prevision ' was created for the purpose of granting Old Age Pensions, and administering a system of social insurance. The funds of the Institution are made up of an endowment, annual State subsidy, and private and public donations. The maximum annual pension obtainable is 1,500 pesetas (£60). The number of old-age pensions granted up to December 31, 1919, was 87,953, and 141,422 for infants, a total of 229,375 pensions.