§ MR. WATT (Glasgow College)To ask the Lord Advocate if he will appoint a Committee to inquire into the whole question of Court of Session procedure and expenses; and, if not, will he devise any means to lessen the fees which are felt burdensome by litigants from the West of Scotland.
§ (Answered by Mr. Thomas Shaw.) I am in consultation with my right hon. friend the Secretary for Scotland as to the expediency of appointing a Committee to inquire into the staffing, grading, and rights of various legal offices in Scotland. On the question of the diminution of judicial expenses, I think that a substantial step has been taken in that direction in the provisions of Clause 14 of the Workmen's Compensation Act which has just passed this House. The 982 saving in costs to litigants which will be effected under that provision has been estimated at £10,000 sterling per annum. On the information before me this estimate appears to be sound. I refer further to my Answer to the hon. Member on 21st November last.†