§ 57. Mr. KELLYasked the Attorney-General if he will inquire of the Law Society whether it would be willing to embody in its draft Bill provisions for placing under the control of the Master of the Rolls a fund to indemnify the public against defalcations by solicitors convicted of fraud in the criminal courts, or, as an alternative, to ensure that every practising solicitor should deposit a fidelity bond with the Master of the Rolls in lieu of compulsory audit of money and securities held on behalf of clients?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERALI understand that the general principles of the Law Society's Bill have been approved by its members, and notice of introduction of the Bill is being given to-day. Another Bill on the same subject has been introduced by the hon. Member for Cambridge University (Sir J. Withers). In these circumstances, I think the best course would be for the hon. Member to make his suggestion when these Bills come on for discussion in the House.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIn view of the feeling on all sides of the House in support of the principle of these Bills, will the hon. and learned Gentleman consider appointing a Select Committee to deal with both of them, so that an agreed Bill, based on the report of that committee, may be introduced?