48. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister whether, 432 seeing that applicants desirous of instituting divorce proceedings under the Poor Persons Act are precluded from doing so unless the Government Department concerned is successful in securing a solicitor willing to undertake the necessary legal work, he will state whether the Government provide the requisite legal advice; and will he consider as to the advisability of altering the Act so that poor people may not be precluded from obtaining the advantages of the divorce laws owing to their lack of means?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)I have been asked to reply. The arrangements for facilitating litigation by poor persons in the High Court depend upon the rules of the Supreme Court, and not upon Acts of Parliament. Those arrangements have recently been the subject of an inquiry by a committee presided over by Mr. Justice P. 0. Lawrence, whose Report will be in the hands of Members of this House before the end of this week. My right hon. and Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has under his consideration the question of what proposals he will make to the Rule Committee of the Supreme Court in consequence of the Report.
Sir F. HALLis the right hon. Gentleman aware that as the law stands it is impossible for these poor people to obtain assistance? What steps do the Government propose to take in order to make Regulations so that these persons who are entitled to assistance may have an opportunity of so doing?
§ Sir D. HOGGIf the hon. and gallant Member heard my reply, he would notice that I said the report of the Committee has been received this week and will reach the House at the end of the week. I am not in a position to state what proposals we shall make until we have considered it.