§ 65. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what economies the new method of photostat reproduction of copies of wills for probate has effected; and whether, in view of the many complaints as to the illegibility of such photostat reproductions and the fact that in the case of wills written on paper other than of foolscap size an engrossment copy has to be furnished to be photographed in place of the original will, he will consider a return to the former method of probate engrossments?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe savings to the Exchequer are estimated to amount in a normal year to approximately £1,500 per annum; hut savings on a much larger scale will accrue to the public as the result of the new method introduced on the 1st January last. In reply to the second part of the hon. Member's question, during the initial stages of the new process certain complaints were received relating chiefly to the legibility of photostat copies of wills prepared on brief-size paper, and instructions have been issued that engrossment copies should be furnishel for the time being with wills of this type. These wills, however, form quite a small proportion of the total number of wills admitted to probate. Certain other minor imperfections have also been brought to notice, but these have been remedied and I am informed that practically no complaints are now being received. I see no good reason for adopting the suggestion put forward in the last part of the question.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWas the Law Society consulted before this change was made; and seeing that these photographic copies are now illegible, what does the right hon. Gentleman think their state will be in 10 or 20 years' time, and is it not most important that documents which have to be kept should be legible?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI cannot accept the statement in the last part of the supplementary question. As regards stating definitely whether the Law Society was asked to express an opinion, I am afraid I must ask for notice of that part of the question.