§ 41. Dr. SALTERasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that at the present time over 400 poor persons' cases, where leave has been given under the Poor Persons Rules and where the reporting solicitor has reported favourably as to each case, are waiting and are unable to be dealt with by the Courts because no conducting solicitor will take them up, on the ground that the poor persons concerned cannot provide the out-of-pocket expenses; and whether there is any method or provision, either in the existing Rules or in the Rules now proposed, whereby a poor person having no means can sue or defend himself in the High Court?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)There are a number of poor persons' cases which have been favourably reported upon but cannot be dealt with at present because the supply of conducting solicitors is insufficient. The difficulty of finding conducting solicitors for these cases is not due, as suggested in the question, to the inability of these persons to find money for out-of-pocket expenses, but to causes set out in the Report of Mr. Justice P. 0. Lawrence's Committee (Command Paper 2358). It is hoped that when the new system proposed by that Committee comes into operation the difficulty will disappear.