§ 87. Mr. GRACEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the costs entailed by protracted High Court proceedings, especially in the matter of counsels' fees; and whether the Government is prepared to bring in a Bill for the protection of litigants, with a view to restricting the amount of fees allowed for counsel on the taxation of the costs of a successful party to the sum of 50 guineas for every day a trial has lasted?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy attention has not infrequently been directed to the subject, but I do not contemplate attempting any legislation regarding it.
§ Mr. GRACEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman take the view that the cheaper we make the administration of justice the greater will be the confidence of the community in our judicial system?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI entirely agree, but the difficulty is that the brains of such eminent counsel are very dear.
§ Mr. GRACEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no less than £30,000 has been spent in a recent case to decide whether a husband or a wife is telling the truth?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not the fault of the Home Secretary.