§ 74. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Attorney-General if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the desirability and practicability of extending the practice of registration of unsatisfied judgments at present followed in the county courts to other local courts and to the High Court?
§ 75. Mr. HANNONasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the representations he has received from the National Association of Trade Protection Societies on the practice of non-registration of unsatisfied judgments in the High Court and local courts in contrast with the system of registration which is followed in county courts, he will consider the advisability of setting up a commission to establish uniformity of practice in all courts as affecting unsatisfied judgments against debtors?
§ 76. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Attorney-General whether he has received a copy of the resolution recently passed by the London Association for the Protection of Trade, urging that steps be taken for unsatisfied judgments in the High Court, and other local courts, to be registered in the same manner as unsatisfied judgments in the county court are registered by the registrar of county court judgments, in order that those giving credit for large amounts may have the same protection as is afforded where credit is for small amounts; and whether he will consider the advisability of investigating the desirability of adopting the same practice of registration of unsatisfied judgments, now applicable in county courts, in the High Court and other local courts?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Craigie Aitchison)I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend has received the representations referred to but has nothing to add to the reply I gave to a similar question on the 3rd November last to the effect that in view of the volume of work at present under the consideration of Committees, my hon. Friend does not feel justified in adopting the suggestions.
§ Mr. LEWISIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the small trader has his facilities for credit curtailed owing to the present practice as regards the registration of these judgments, whereas any person who fails for a large sum is not similarly penalised?
§ Mr. HANNONSurely the law ought to be brought into some sort of harmony as between different sections for the safety of small traders?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThese are matters of English practice of which I cannot speak, but I shall be by glad to bring the points mentioned by the hon. Members to the attention of my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSCannot steps be taken to secure the Solicitor-General a seat in this House so that he can deal with matters of English practice?