§ Sir GEORGE DOUGHTY(on behalf of Earl Winterton) asked the hon. Gentleman whether he had received representations from shorthand writers 172 employed under the Criminal Appeal Act in taking down evidence of criminal appeals complaining of the inadequacy of their remuneration; and whether he was willing to receive a deputation on the subject?
§ Sir GEORGE DOUGHTY(on behalf of Earl Winterton) also asked if the hon. Gentleman was aware that the scale of pay given to shorthand writers employed in taking down evidence in criminal appeal cases was a far lower one than that in vogue for the same kind of work elsewhere; and, if so, what steps he proposed taking?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am aware that there have been difficulties in one or two cases with regard to this service, but they do not appear to have been in any way general. The remuneration offered is in practical accordance with the rate usually paid by Government in legal and other cases. In these circumstances I do not propose to take any steps in the matter, and regret that I am not prepared to receive a deputation on the subject.