HC Deb 17 July 1913 vol 55 cc1413-4
25. Mr. WATT

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will introduce legislation which will either unify in Scotland the various branches of the legal profession or enable solicitors to plead in the highest courts and to be eligible for judgeships, in view of the fact that the administration of justice is becoming daily more costly and now prevents poor men being able to maintain their rights?

The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)

I cannot undertake to introduce such legislation.

Mr. MUNRO

As to the latter part of the question, is there any warrant for the suggestion that poor men are not able to maintain their rights, and is it not the case in Scotland that if a poor man has a reasonable case he has counsel and solicitor assigned to him?

Mr. URE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second in the affirmative.