§ 5. Mr. MATHERSasked the Lord Advocate whether he is now fully informed of the difference in the cost of obtaining child adoption orders in Scotland as compared with England; and what steps is he taking in an endeavour to simplify and cheapen the Scottish procedure?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Craigie Aitchison)I am not aware of any difference in cost, but, if my hon. Friend will put before me any concrete case in which the charges appear to be excessive, I will have the matter looked into.
§ Mr. MATHERSIs my right hon. and learned Friend not aware that, very largely, the difference in the costs entailed in putting through an adoption order in Scotland as compared with England is due to the heavy charge for the employment of a curator ad litem; and is it not possible for provision to be made, as I know is done in England, for some voluntary agency to undertake this task?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThe expense of a curator ad litem is not greater in Scotland than in England. I understand that in England there is a practice of responsible people undertaking the work voluntarily, and, if this suggestion were made to the Courts in Scotland, I have no reason to think but that it would be given effect to.